“Whoever has God lacks nothing”

This is the English of “Quien a Dios tiene nada le falta”. This was forgotten in last week’s Shalom where St. Teresa’s Spanish six-line poem “Nada te turbe” was reproduced. There are many similar translations in our tradition of spirituality. To St. Teresa of Avila whoever lives in intimacy with God has everything needed in one’s body, soul and spirit.

One instant of having God is receiving Jesus in Holy Communion in the Mass and struggling to become like Him in daily life struggle. This opportunity of having Mass has been made terribly difficult by the Covid-19 global pandemic. Live streaming the Mass is not a solution liturgically. Bringing the monstrance out to bless people and spiritual communion while watching Mass online are not replacements of the Real Presence.

Difficult, yes, but not impossible. There can be many creative possibilities of having Masses in churches, homes and work places with people actively participating without violating social distancing and health guidelines of the so- called Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). One solution is a renewed understanding and experience of the Presence of Jesus Christ in the Bread and Wine of the Eucharist. It is slowly causing creativity. How? Example? Where? To be explained in the next Shalom.