Yesterday, my diocese joined many others in suspending the celebration of all public Masses for an indefinite time. I was asked if I could write something instructive, encouraging and hope-filled for the next issue of Harvest, our diocesan magazine.
Hope-filled? Yes, there is reason to hope. As the Scriptures assure us, hope does not disappoint. The favors of the Lord are not spent. His mercies are not exhausted. They are renewed each morning.
However, before we can speak a true word of hope, we must speak true words that acknowledge fully our plight. We must express our pain and sorrow. Otherwise, our words of hope will seem unreal, naïve, and escapist. It is in this spirit that I offer the following.
Who Will Weep With Me?
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. – Matthew 5:4
It is night.
The Destroyer rages, wielding weapons of plague and panic.
Our faith bids us: “Partake of the Body of the Unblemished Lamb;
Spread His Blood upon your lintels and doorposts!”
But we will not.
Who will weep with me?
Our shepherds; where are they?
Offering Mass behind webcams;
Offering absolution behind drive-thru windows.
“Prudence”, they call it; “Wisdom”.
Our Lord tells us: “The good shepherd
Lays down his life for his sheep.”
But they will not.
Who will weep with me?
“You are wrong”, you tell me. “You are mistaken”.
“We do this to protect the weak and vulnerable,
Just like you say in your posts”.
Doing away with public Mass has not saved Italy;
Nor will it save us.
The Destroyer rages on;
Feasting on a spiritually malnourished people.
Who will weep with me?
I see the Lord, weeping over our lands
As He did over ancient Jerusalem;
How He longs to feed our famished souls
With His own Body;
To quench our Saharan hearts
With His own Blood.
He hands the Loaf and the Chalice to his disciples
And bids them go
That He might be the life of the world.
But they will not.
Who will weep – with us?