There is an important illusion that must be exposed: we would like to present ourselves before the Lord only when we are presentable, well-groomed and content with ourselves! But there is a lot of presumptuousness in that attitude! In effect, we would like to bypass the need for mercy. But what is the nature of this pseudo-sanctity to which we sometimes aspire unconsciously and which would result in our thinking hat we no longer have need of God? True sanctity is, on the contrary, to increasingly recognize how much we absolutely depend upon His mercy? (p 66 “Searching for and Maintaining Peace” by Fr. Jacques Philippe)

Our Christian faith is an act of humility towards something greater and beyond our fully understanding the how’s and the why’s of life. The quote above tells us a lot about our human nature. If we think about it how often do we quickly tidy up the house if someone knocks at the door or as one friend once put it, “What does it say about me if I clean up my house before my housecleaning service arrives?” Being “presentable, well-groomed and content with ourselves” isn’t that hard exteriorly…it just takes time, the correct products and a little self-care and there are entire industries built around fulfilling these natural desires in our lives. Each of us know the underlying reality of this desire as we hear so many people talk about how on the outside everything looks fine but on the inside they are a complete mess.
Fr. Jacques Philippe reminds us this tendency always leads us into an area of isolation and ego where we put on a false bravado denying the need for help even as we know we are sinking deeper and deeper into despair. Which then will open us to two divergent paths: one of self destructive behavior and the other a deeper search for meaning in which we discover the truth of our need for God and others.
One of the catch phrases to come from this time of “self-isolation/shelter-in-place” has been “social distancing” but as was pointed out to me what we are in reality doing is “physical distancing” because we are staying apart but we are not alone. A smile can travel across the room, a wave of the hand can be seen from a great distance, the words good morning, thank you and have a good day can echo in our hearts for hours after they have been spoken and shared. Each of these actions are part of our human experience and must be part of our experience in our intimate and loving relationship with God. In the same way these social activities can be celebrated from a distance the blessings, the grace and the love of God we receive, express and live daily are not restricted to time, distance or space.
And yet, we do miss something when we “physical distance” and must reach out across the gaps without the normal human interactions that come with a handshake, a hug or a kiss on the cheek. Our faith is founded and lived on these very intimate human experiences where the Incarnation of God in Jesus the Son touches us in a real and physical way just as our faith dives deep within our soul.
Just as we long for the human touch, we also long for the sacramental touch. The dipping of our fingers into and being washed with the water of Baptism, the receiving of the Bread of Life in Communion with others, the words spoken and shared in Reconciliation, Anointing and Marriage, simple but profound and holy act of sharing a sign of peace.
We must depend upon His mercy, the mercy that reaches into the moments of despondent loneliness, the mercy seeking to heal the doubt and fear, the mercy lighting the darkness of frustration. It is the living of these few simple words: Jesus, I trust in You.
God Bless
Fr. Mark