This morning we served a full hierarchical liturgy with His Grace, Bishop Paul who, per an e-mail directive this morning, asked for people to voluntarily stay home out of love for the safety and health of one another. Therefore, over 200 faithful adhered to this directive, and we celebrated the service with a just a "skeleton crew" of about 80 some faithful.
Staying away from crowds is nothing to be ashamed over given the circumstances of this world-wide event. This is nothing like a "test of faith," nor is it a renouncement of Christ by NOT attending.
Each of us is given his own measure of grace, and by this measure our faith often wavers. The apostles themselves, though committed and ready to "die with Christ," all abandoned Him in the heat of the moment. Yet our Lord did not judge them, berate them, or denounce them as not worthy of His love. Instead, in that same divine love He accepted them in their own weakness.
Therefore, as this pandemic spreads, let it not be a source of pride to judge or lord over others your own personal commitment. Instead, let this be a time of humility and understanding. The church does not collapse or capitulate in such moments, it triumphs just as it triumphed during the persecutions where only two or three were willing to gather in Christ's Name out of fear.
Fr. John
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