Our Christian Duty to Each Other

A long-time friend and person I respect told me a few days ago that he has not been to Mass since March. This is not for lack of desire. He has been a faithful Mass attendee and has passed this act on to his children. He has also been active in teaching children in the parish. His reason for not attending is that other people in his parish do not take COVID seriously. He attends a traditional parish where they eschew masks and treat the virus with indifference. Because of their flippant attitude, he has chosen to protect himself and his family by not attending Mass.

There are some who might question this decision. They may say that it is inconceivable to not attend Mass. But does a father and husband not have the right to protect his family where the actions of other people put them at risk? We, as Christians, do not live in a vacuum. We are "our brother's keeper" as exemplified in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Just as we care called to care for our brethren bodily, it is our duty to encourage our brethren in their faith. We must "encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing" (Thess. 5:11). 

We cannot encourage each other in faith if one of us is concerned about their risk of attending Mass. I realize that this virus has somehow become politicized, and that the talking heads love to argue about the mortality rate of COVID-19. But that is irrelevant. Just as I would not attend Mass if I had another contagious illness, of whatever potency, means that if I am asymptomatic in carrying this illness I will ultimately protect others by preventing its spread. 

Ultimately, I think COVID will be devastating for churches. I believe that many people will become used to not attending church on Sunday or attending virtually. Some people will not miss it and will replace their Sunday obligation with something else. This is all the more reason to get churches open again and safe. There have been numerous examples of safe gatherings occurring with masks--school children in class with masks, flights with zero transmission even when infected people are aboard, no transmission when masks were worn by infected hair dressers and their clients, etc. Let us not become a stumbling block to our brethren who want to attend the liturgy by a small act which can encourage and strengthen them

As long as any one has the means of doing good to his neighbours, and does not do so, he shall be reckoned a stranger to the love of the Lord. - St. Irenaeus of Lyons