“Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you.”
Matthew 7:7
I had a plan today. I knew my local church on Long Island (not the trad one I usually go to) was open to the public most of the day. I have been there several times since “the situation” started. There are always a handful of people, sitting far apart from each other. My plan was to get there just before closing, when I could ambush the priest, and ask for Holy Communion. If very lucky, it would be my first time receiving since they stopped Mass. I fully expected to be refused at which point I probably would have politely expressed some displeasure and left. I also had a big wad of cash with me, in the event that they were cooperative (“maybe we could make a little deal-I come every Sunday….”-you gotta think of these things-as a prepper, I have thought out so many scenarios in my mind over the years-cash-always good!).
It was truly beautiful when I entered the church. Recorded music was playing and the altar was arrayed in Easter flowers. I was very happy to finally see some holy water, in small bottles. Leftover palm was still available and a basket for offerings sat on the altar steps. It seemed the pastor had thought of everything for his people at this time. Exposition was taking place. Again, only a handful of people. It was quiet, dark and wondrous. A church transformed, speaking something, in its stillness, of this hour in human history.
Shortly after I settled in my pew, something remarkable happened. The priest pointed to the tabernacle and a few people came up and knelt at the altar rail (like I said, this is not a trad church!). They stayed a good distance apart. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was a moment of great joy, after waking up in a real funk today.
So….I got to receive my Lord and the cash went in the basket! Who could have imagined, just a short time ago, that the ability to receive Holy Communion would become such an unexpected joy! May we all have a renewed appreciation for this extraordinary gift. And never take it for granted again.