I Say to Myself… “What if?”

I often say to myself, and I propose to other people the words: “What if…?” This can be the beginning of some creative thinking and/or conversation. “What if…” is not a critique of the present or past, but rather indicates an awareness that whatever is the current reality, it may present us with the conditions for trying something new.

Thinking in terms of “what ifs,” we must start with the current reality. We might say, “given X as the case, what if…?” For example, “Given that our parishioner participation has diminished at the X and Y o’clock Mass, what if we used our parish resources by focusing more on “blank?” Or, given the current level of presence and participation of the young people in our parish, what if we invested in some activities and initiatives designed to respond to their particular needs?

The above examples refer to general realities. An even more timely reality: given the increase in COVID infections in Brown County, what if we doubled our efforts to protect each other and our families and loved ones from becoming infected? There is very little that we can or need to mandate or require if everyone agrees that we do not want to see anyone become infected. To desire otherwise is simply uncharitable and un-Christian. Given that a mandate of any sort is not acceptable for many people, what if we simply agree that preventing, or at least limiting. the spread of COVID-19, and specifically trying to limit the spread of the highly infectious Delta variant, is our goal? What if…?

Given that we are daughters and sons of God, members of the one human community created by God, let us work together for a highly desirable minimum: the limiting of the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19. If we can make the good health of our loved ones, even strangers, a priority, what are we willing to do, to sacrifice, to offer up?

As we respond to the Bishop’s invitation to return to Sunday Eucharist as he removes the dispensation from the obligation to participate at a Saturday Vigil or Sunday Mass, I remind everyone to consider their personal health needs. If you remain vulnerable because of age, health status or other personal and deeply held concerns, you are not bound by this obligation. Still, a Sunday prayer ritual, perhaps coupled with reading the Sunday Scriptures, is a recommended and admirable way by which you or a loved one remain in touch with your faith community.

Peace, Fr. Andy