Yesterday I administered the Sacrament of the Sick using a Q-tip for the first time. This was in accordance with new protocols issued by our Bishop. The recipient was not a coronavirus patient; she was in home hospice care suffering from the late stages of cancer. I left that visit with a renewed conviction that God does not abandon us in our suffering and that we can encounter the suffering Christ in our brothers and sisters.

I miss being able to lay prayerful hands on the sick; the church packed with worshipers praising God, the office busy and humming with staff and visitors. Sometimes this all seems like a strange dream. I had a chance encounter with a nurse in the morning, one of our parishioners. She was in tears. A coworker had gotten sick with the virus and everyone in the hospital was on edge. We briefly prayed together. Let us not stop praying for our health care personnel.

The only time things seem normal to me is during confessions. I actually like hearing them outdoors; the weather has been good. People greatly appreciate receiving the sacramental pardon of their sins, and it gives me a few moments to have true personal interactions with our people. We recorded a video earlier today for our Discipleship Groups. One of our parishioners who is helping with this was giving me constructive feedback. “Pretend that you are in front of the congregation.” My speech was lacking. It is hard to pretend when you are in a room with only two other people speaking into a lifeless camera.

Some moments I think this must be a bad dream. Perhaps an April Fool’s joke. But it is not. It is real. God wants us to face that reality with courage and determination, as Jesus embraced the Cross. As we near the end of Lent, may Jesus help us to walk the way of the Cross as He did.