Why is it so important to be there?

     As the "safer at home" orders were being issued and our bishops were cancelling public Masses across the nation there were not a few (including me) who growled about the faithful being kept away from Mass.  Not a few responses on social media shot back with, among other things, "you can worship at home and keep everyone safe", or, "you can pray just as well at home", and other riffs on this same tune.  As we have come to see how very virulent this virus is, the wisdom of our bishops acts of prudence are made evident.  However, as Christians we still need to understand why we can't worship at home, and praying at home is not the same as being there.  Television Masses are all well and good for those who are forced by age or infirmity to stay home, it's the best they can do; but it is no replacement for our presence at Holy Mass; which is why missing Mass due to our own fault is generally a mortal sin.  

     So, why go to Mass when I can watch it on television?  This becomes an especially relevant question when most Catholics think the only difference between watching Mass on tv and actually going to church is the issue of receiving Communion.

     Providentially, I have had some very practical experience with this of late.  With my dad in the nursing home and the nursing home locked down because of the virus, my mom and I have been unable to go to his room and be with him.  So, what to do?  Mom and I have both spent time just standing outside his window.  I can tell you this is not the same as being in his room with him, but it is far better than not seeing him at all, or rather, not being with him at all; for there is most assuredly a difference between "seeing" and "being present".  Some might consider standing outside someone's window an odd thing to do, but that is what love does.  And thus, we come to the two essential issues involved in being present, if even imperfectly, versus seeing something on screen: presence and love.

     When one recognizes that the Eucharistic is the real and sacramentally present Body & Blood, Soul & Divinity of our Lord, Jesus Christ; and that the Mass is a veiled presence of the eternal liturgy in heaven, (cf. Revelation 4-5) one comes to see that there IS a very real difference in the various modes by which we are ourselves present to Him and He to us.  While being present to Him through a car window and tens of yards away is not perfect it is substantially different than seeing Him on a tv screen.  If you doubt this, I will happily take your Rose Bowl tickets the next time the Badgers make it and you can watch from home on your television.  😊

     Finally, it is a matter of love.  As I observed above, love does what can be done.  It doesn’t always make sense to those on the outside looking in, but it most certainly makes a difference in the hearts of the lover and of the beloved.  Again, if you doubt this then ask one of our veterans and his/her spouse about their time away from each other, even in this day and age where those "in country" or afloat were able to video chat with their loved ones from time to time.

     Brothers and sisters, if we are honest we will admit that being there with our Eucharistic Lord is not the same as seeing Him on tv: Even if we are shielded from Him and from everybody else's germs, it beats watching it on television.  And that is why I am offering Mass in our Sacred Heart Parish parking lot.  Be it ever so humble, "Come, let us adore Him!"

Challenge:  Until you are able to receive our Lord again in Holy Communion, follow the example of so many saints who have gone before us, even those who celebrated Mass every day, and make an Act of Spiritual Communion  each day as a part of your prayer: morning, mid-day, evening, your choice – or all three!  There are many versions, but here is a particularly good example:

My Jesus, I believe that You are in the Blessed Sacrament.  I love You above all things, and I long for You in my soul.  Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.  As though You have already come, I embrace You and unite myself entirely to You; never permit me to be separated from You.  Amen.