Mass in Church? Way Different.
Welcome to Word for the Week, the series in which I:
share my experience of hearing God’s Word in Mass last weekend,
explore what I believe the Lord is calling me to do about that Word, and
ask how this Word might impact your life, as well.
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There wasn’t any Drive-Up Communion, so that was great. But the socially-distanced version of Mass seemed both somber and nerve wracking. My Word for the Week stood in a stark contrast to the overall feeling of discomfort.
Our 8-year-old daughter, Chiara, and I went to Mass together. I put a face mask on before we entered the church building. We had to show documentation of registration. So I held out my smartphone. The attendant at the door peered over to see the confirmation email as she held a covering over her mouth.
Instead of holy water at the door, there was a big container of hand sanitizer with a gigantic pump. I pushed down with my forearm so Chiara and I could sanitize our hands before entering the church. Hardly anyone else wore a facial covering.
The pews were sectioned off with blue tape. More colorful tape formed arrows on the carpeted floor, pointing which way to walk down the aisle and which side of the pew to enter. Even though the attendance was limited at 25% capacity, there were still bottleneck areas of the building, like when we first walked into the sanctuary. Chiara and I tried to give people enough space.
We chose the very front spot and I removed my face mask. We were at least several feet from anyone else. The music was mellow, we chanted the entrance hymn (or “introit”). The words “make a joyful sound” stood out to me.
The Mass parts were likewise chanted. We sang only a few congregational hymns. The homily was brief. Our pastor explained that Communion was to be distributed in the hand only, unless you went to his station. If you chose to receive on the tongue, he would sanitize his hands before continuing (unless it was clear that two or more communicants lived in the same household).
As Communion began, our pastor donned a face mask and a clear plastic cover over his entire face. The extraordinary ministers of the Eucharistic also wore face masks. It’s hard to say what it felt like to receive the Eucharist again in a church. The distractions were overwhelming. But when we sang the congregational hymns, I couldn’t stop the tears from falling.
“How am I supposed to make a joyful sound this week?” I asked the Lord. And I believe God is asking me to keep doing the things I already know how to do: loving my husband, encouraging my kids, laughing with our friends, singing in praise. There are enough changes already without adding more. What are some familiar practices in which you find a sense of joy this week?
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