A friend of our Center responded to one of last week’s blog posts with this poem by her friend,
Catherine Coundjeris. Catherine wanted to share her poem with our community too. Our lives certainly changed just a few weeks ago, during the month of March. Catherine writes this poem about one of those major changes to our lives, the inability to gather in our churches and chapels for Mass. After you read it, please share if the absence of your church community is affecting you too. Let’s virtually connect and reach out to one another during this time of great loss. May you be able to read this in communion with nature, with God and with each other.
The March Mass was Cancelled
Mass is cancelled
this weekend
because of a pandemic.
The sun rose warm and
the clouds of glory gathered beautifully
against the blue sky.
The birds sang as a cool breeze blew
and the redbuds have begun to open.
Spiritual communion with God’s creation
with God himself is possible
from valley to mountain
School is closed and my classes are cancelled.
Store shelves are empty.
Sporting events and entertainment
postponed for better times.
Hospitals brace for an onslaught.
Mass was cancelled
this weekend
because of a pandemic
in hopes to stave the tide.
I long for communion with my God
Eucharist in the bread and wine
but live stream TV is now my option.
To witness Mass rather
than participate in it,
but Christ said
Blessed are they who do not see and yet believe
who worship the Father in spirit.
Mass was cancelled
this weekend
because of a pandemic, but
he fed his people manna in the wilderness and it is there
we will find peace of mind
when the darkness creeps about on stealthy feet.
We will cry out to the Lord and he will hear us:
our voices ascending the stormy skies
in one accord seeking the healing grace
of the Divine Physician.
We need only believe
and the mountain will move.
4 replies on “…Mass Was Cancelled”
Thank You for sharing the beautiful poem written by Catherine Coundjeris. Yes, many Christians/Catholics do miss the physical community of going to Mass/Church Services. The word ‘church’ has two meanings: church – the building; Church – the Community. We can still have Church without church.
As Christ shared with us – God, Our Father (Abba) is always with us – even when we pray alone (Matthew 6:5-6). Even if we live alone, and pray alone, we can still pray ‘in spirit’ with others. In Matthew 18:20, Christ said ‘when two or three are gathered in my name . . . .” However, even if we are alone, we can hold others within our hearts and be with them in spirit – and Christ will also be with us. The words Community – Communion – are from the Latin Communis – meaning to share. We can share with one another in mind, heart, soul, and spirit. We can be a Community in Communion with one another – with Christ – with God, Our Father – with the Holy Spirit – by simply holding one another in our minds, hearts, soul, and spirit. The Risen Christ has been with the world for ~2000 years – and will continue with to be with us throughout this coronavirus – and until the end of time.
This is beautiful, so well written. God used you to speak to us in a wonderful way. Thank you so much. God bless you and keep you healthy during these uncertain times.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Jo Anna. Take care and stay healthy too!
Thank you for your thoughtful responses! It is wonderful to hear the thoughts of others at a time like this. Be well! God Bless!