There is an appointed time for every thing, and a time for everything under the heavens. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them; a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces. A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. — Eccelesiastes 3:1-8
It was just about this time last year when our diocese was so greatly blessed with the vibrant and extremely well-attended Eucharistic Congress, which brought together more than 1,000 people from across the diocese, which focused our attention on 2020 as our diocesan “Year of the Eucharist.”
Little did any of us know then what we know now: that for these nearly eight months, we have all been living in the grip of a worldwide pandemic. Because of that, we have all had to make significant adjustments to our lifestyles. Many of our recreational or social activities have been cancelled, rescheduled or postponed indefinitely. Even in the essential aspects of daily living — school, work and the practice of our faith — we have experienced significant restrictions. Our “Year of the Eucharist” has certainly not been what I, nor any of those 1,000 + who attended the Eucharistic Congress, envisioned it to be.
And yet life goes on: babies are born, couples get married, families are raised and continue to be our greatest place of safety and love and those we love who die are buried. In my own large extended family, we were blessed in these months of the pandemic to welcome three new babies into the family: a beautiful baby girl, Mariella, and a set of twin boys, Dante and Alexander. I was even privileged to baptize each of them, though the celebrations were small.
We could all take the “glass half-empty” approach and bemoan the sadness of these times, seeing only all that we’re unable to do; we could just give into frustration and regret that this “Year of the Eucharist” has been so adversely affected.
Or, we can pause and recognize that life is in God’s control, and all things are in God’s “time.” As the beautiful verses from the Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes states, there is a “time for everything under the sun.” Our life journey continues on, and it is our faith that must remain strong and help us to persevere, in the good times and in the bad times. And rather than regret that this “Year of the Eucharist” isn’t what we planned or hoped for, we must never lose sight of how precious that great Gift Jesus has given to us remains for us. The Eucharist is “the source and summit of our faith”, and even if we can only participate in the celebration of the Eucharist by means of making a Spiritual Communion, we are still joining ourselves to Jesus, and to the Body of Christ, the Church, in the best ways we can. No matter what the circumstances, as life goes on, so does the Church. We continue to celebrate our liturgical year, which concludes with the feast of Christ the King on Nov. 22, 2020, and then launch a new Church year on the First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 29, 2020.
So while there might be a big part of us that just wants to wish the rest of this year 2020 away so we can get passed it, hoping that next year will be better and get us back to “normal,” we run the risk of missing out on the beauty and wonder of life that’s taking place all around us. Our world is beautiful, and this part of the world here in Southwest Michigan at this time of year is a beautiful gift from God as we witness an array of gorgeous fall colors; God’s beautiful world of nature endures in spite of the pandemic. Similarly, our faith endures, and our Church year will begin anew, with renewed hope for more babies to be born, more marriages to take place, more families to grow in love and security, and more people to complete their life journey and return to the loving arms of our God. Every day, no matter what the circumstances we find around us, is an opportunity for continued growth in our relationship with Jesus, and in our love for one another.
As sisters and brothers in Christ, we need only look to Him who always shows us the ways we are to live in this world, in the midst of all the struggles and challenges we’re all facing, while keeping our hearts and our hopes set on the life of the world to come. Jesus continuously invites us to follow Him, the Light of the World, and to resist the overwhelming forces all around us to be drawn into the darkness of individualism, division and violence toward others. Let us remember that Jesus is the One constant in our lives, because as the Letter to the Hebrews tells us: “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever.” (Heb.13:8)
My dear sisters and brothers in Christ, let us cherish each day as a gift and not take any of our God-given time for granted.