On this quarantine Sunday, as he has several days this week, my beloved husband woke early and went out to the grocery store in search of breakfast, and perhaps a few other needful items. This time he returned with grapes and bananas for the children, and glory hallelujah, 3 dozen eggs! He got there right after they had unloaded a fresh batch and they were already half gone, so we’re very thankful to have a few for the 12 people in our household.
After breakfast we tidied up the living room, set up the benches, and settled in to attend “virtual mass” on the Diocese of Phoenix youtube channel.
As the mass was beginning and I saw beneath the video the numbers ticking upwards from 800, it was comforting to sense that we were indeed together at a distance, preparing to worship our Lord. (As I type this, the views have surpassed 12,579!) I would have expected the kids to be more squirrelly at home than at church, but there was such an immediacy to seeing each part of the mass up close on the screen, I don’t think I’ve ever seen them more attentive and reverent as we stood, knelt, sang and prayed the responses.
After the Bishop’s blessing and recessional, but before we dispersed, daddy had the family line up for a special blessing with Holy Water.
A Father’s Blessing
I pray that your mind (cross the forehead) will be filled with the thoughts of Christ,
and that these eyes (cross each eye) will see Jesus.
May these ears (cross each ear) always hear the words of Christ.
May these lips (cross the lips) proclaim the gospel worthily and well.
May your heart (cross the heart) always be filled with the love of Christ.
Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” I pray these shoulders (cross each shoulder) will bear that burden well.
May these hands (cross each hand) be strong to do Christ’s work.
Jesus said, the road to heaven is narrow, steep and hard. May these feet (cross each foot) always find that path.
