The Liturgy of our Lives

As so many of you undoubtedly discovered a few months ago as the pandemic unfolded, there is something unnatural about having to stay away from your parents, children and grandchildren.

While keeping our distance from family and friends can be hard, responsibly doing so is an act of respect.  Ethically speaking, putting the needs of others before our own is a great sign of Christian charity.

Everyone is experiencing Covid fatigue.  We are all tired of it, but it is an unhealthy response to give in to temptation and simply do whatever we feel like, regardless of its impact on others.

But I digress.

I read something the other day that made me so sad.  An author used the term “the untouchables” when referring to residents in nursing homes.

It can be so lonely for the residents, as well as their families, when they cannot be in physical contact with their loved ones.

When I was a young adult, I was standing in my mom’s kitchen, receiving a well-needed hug.  It felt so good. Twice widowed and living alone, she equally appreciated being on the receiving end of a hug.

God gave us our sense of taste, touch, smell, hearing and sight for a reason. We are meant to express our love for each other in ways that use those senses.

Our expression of love for our Creator also draws on all of our senses.  With our physical movements during Mass, we engage our whole body using various gestures and postures; our prayers connect with our bodies as we worship.

When the fragrant incense rises, it reflects our prayers being offered to God.

When we sing, we give vocal praise.

When we consume the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist, we engage a variety of senses.

Beyond our human senses, though, our entire Mass experience speaks volumes about who we are in relationship to the Father.  Likewise, our actions during this pandemic speak volumes about who we are in relationship to each other.

If we allow the “liturgy of our lives” to express the love we have for God and for each other, selfishness will soon be transformed into selflessness and our personal sacrifices for the good of others will become a tremendous act of worship.

Praise God today in all you do.

Janet Cassidy
janetcassidy.blogspot.com
janetcassidy.blubrry.net