Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli

Mosques, synagogues and churches across the country have closed their doors to public gatherings for worship. Faced with the fast spreading, contagious and sometimes fatal coronavirus, many religious leaders of every faith have chosen to use caution in safeguarding the health and life of their faithful. But not all agree.

On March 17, police ended the worship service of 305 congregants gathered in the Life Tabernacle Church in Baton Rouge, La. The pastor had chosen not to heed the Governor’s ban prohibiting gathering of more than 50 people to stop the spread of Covid-19. In a similar vein, Rodney Howard-Browne, the head of Revival Ministries International has vowed to keep his church services open in Tampa, Fla., despite government restrictions.

In peace and wartime, in health and sickness, in prosperity and in famine, we have the obligation and the joy of worshipping and praising God, not just as individuals, but as a community of believers, as a church. But, when circumstances become dangerous or threatening, the common good dictates that our worship take a different form. With the silent and invisible attack of the coronavirus lurking wherever we go, common sense dictates that the danger of contagion be minimized by avoiding large gatherings. Hence, most religious leaders have prudently suspended church services. But that does not end worship.

True religion, true worship of God, concerns itself with the good of others. When questioned by the scribes on which was the greatest commandment, Jesus replied “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’” And then Jesus immediately added: “The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mk 12:29-31). In effect, Jesus is saying that the greatest commandment is love and love has two faces, one turned toward God and the other toward our neighbor. Thus, in loving one another, we are loving God himself. They are one and the same love.

Practically speaking in the present situation of a nation under attack by a severe disease, the most loving response is to care and protect the lives of one another. This requires at times great thoughtfulness and kindness. Abiding by government restrictions aimed to protect as many as possible shows concern for our neighbor. Not selfishly hoarding for oneself all the resources necessary for others is an act of generosity. Empty grocery shelves are more a sign of panic and fear than of kindness towards others.

In this time when Mass is not celebrated publicly, the Church continues to worship. The Eucharist is the sacrifice of love. Each day, it is being offered in our parishes. It is the pure sacrifice offered from the rising of the sun to its setting (Mal 1:11). Physical separation from our parish during the celebration of the Eucharist need not mean spiritual separation. Many of our parishes are livestreaming Sunday and daily Eucharist so that the faithful can be joined with their priest at the very moment he is offering Mass. The physical doors of the Church may be temporarily closed. BUT THE CHURCH IS NOT!

In this unprecedented moment in our lifetime, we offer to God our prayers from hearts burdened with fear and anxiety. And, we offer to one another a helping hand, caring for and protecting one another. Opening ourselves to God and to one another in love: this is the true worship that unites us spiritually with the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, the sacrifice made present in every Mass.

“So then, my friends, because of God’s great mercy to us, I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer.” (Rm 12:1)