The Gospel passage that we heard today is one of the most comforting gospel passages. I like it so much that I use it for all funerals, Masses and services. Jesus speaks about space and time in today's gospel. He knew his time was limited with his disciples, so he said, "I am going to my Father's house." He knew Earth is not his or disciples final destination. He said, "I'm going to prepare a place for you, and once prepared, I will come back for you." This concept of space and time is so appropriate to meditate on during this time of COVID-19.
Time keeps moving forward. The clock never stops running. Only God knows how much time we have left in the bank. Despite the watches on our wrists and the clocks that adorn our walls, none of us can control time. We cannot rewind or fast forward time. While we may try to "buy time," "waste time," seek "overtime," or ask for a "time out," we all are at the mercy of time. It is never our time; it is God's time. We wonder how much longer we will have to endure this unprecedented time. As much as we want this time to be over, this moment has afforded us all more time. How are you spending your time? After adjusting to this new normal, I find that there is more time for prayer, rest, exercise, and leisure. As frustrating and as inconvenient as this current time is, it nonetheless can be a gift for all of us.
Another concept that is so much more real in this time is space. Has there ever been a time in recent memory when we have been so conscious of our space? We know where we are and where we are not. We also are ever mindful of those who are near us.
We all have observed a new term that has become part of every language across the world — namely, "social distancing." The whole idea here is to keep a "safe distance" to stop the spread of the virus. As successful as social distancing has been, I think we can all appreciate how unnatural it is for us human beings, who are meant to live in community. We are people who are created to bond whether we are in a family, a crowd, at a meeting or in a church. Right now, however, we need to be mindful of our space and trust that this separation from one another is, as they say, a "temporary inconvenience for a permanent improvement."
I hope, when everything is over, we should not take a lot of things for granted: a handshake, a hug, a visit to your family and friends, greeting a stranger in public. This time teaches us these that these simple things mean a great deal in our daily life. Let us create a kind heart in us. That will be the best gift we can achieve and give to other people from this pandemic.
Happy Mother's day all you moms!!! Mother's Day is going to be a little different this year. The holiday is usually celebrated with family outings to brunch, spas or family get-togethers in homes—and accompanied by plenty of in-person hugs and kisses. But as the coronavirus pandemic restricts where we can go, and makes social distancing a new norm, many of these traditions will have to be postponed to another year. The restriction doesn't mean we cancel Mother's Day this year.
On the contrary: Younger children may have been seeing even more of their moms than usual this spring, as school cancellations added home schoolteacher to mothers' and fathers' list of duties. Many young adult children who fled big cities to shelter in place back home may find themselves unexpectedly celebrating at mom's house. For older adult children whose parents are in independent or assisted living communities, spending time with mom in person—or bringing the grandkids for a Mother's Day visit—may be entirely out of the question, due to community restrictions. Whatever your situation, there are plenty of opportunities to make this Mother's Day one she'll always remember. Your creativities and efforts are what's going to make this mother's day special.