“Today Isaiah bluntly reminds us that our sacrifices and worship are empty gestures if they do not move us to embrace the spirit of God’s compassion. Our religious formulas are mere words if they are not centered in imitating the justice and peace of Jesus Christ. Our gatherings at the Lord’s table should compel us to go out and become what we receive there,” says Father Jerry.

“So even if you cannot come to the table of the Lord because of your sheltering, you can still bring the peace and compassion of God to your table, in your care for those that you love. If you can come, may the absence of so many of our brothers and sisters instill in us a new appreciation for the community that Jesus has formed of us, in our assistance and support of one another, especially those who are not able to be here,” he adds.