IT seems that what we have been yearning for has now finally arrived. Come this Sunday (Jul 12), those whose registration has been accepted will be returning to Mass after being locked from it for 120 days.
It is a dream of what life after coronavirus is – the church door is open and we can return to the Eucharist, with hearts filled with gratitude.
However, there is a lot more going on here. Not everyone can return albeit having longed for many months to regain what we have lost. The precautionary measures which need to be abided by only allows those aged 13-69, and those who are free from chronic illnesses. For churches in the KK Archdiocese, those prohibited to return to Mass also include the non-Malaysians.
Perhaps reading about those who will have the blessing of returning to Mass, of receiving Jesus, of being present for the consecration would in retrospect fill us with gratitude for the many times we have received Jesus at Mass, and even daily, while at the same time fill us with remorse for having taking Him for granted, even thinking that we are deserving of receiving Him in the Eucharist.
For those who for obvious reasons have to be in a longer exile from the Eucharist, there is the realization that God who created us will never be absent. Though missing Jesus’ Eucharistic Presence, we can remind each other of His abiding Presence by being God’s Presence to others, believing in His Promise “Look, I am with you always; yes, to the end of time” (Mt 28:20).
I hope you get to confession and Mass – and receive the Eucharist in the state of grace – soon if you have been away because of the coronavirus restrictions or for other reasons. And I leave you with the hope that we may always know God is nearer to us than we will ever fully realize. Trust that. Trust Him.
