The following is used with permission. The first is of the experience and the following, a reflection of that.

The Experience:

“As we all know, unvaccinated Catholics around the country are now living through one of the most bizarre types of experience – a totally new thing – being turned away from Mass at the doors of Catholic Churches by priests or parish volunteers worried about safety. Safety from catching bugs or from the consequences of non-compliance. One or t’other. Doesn’t matter.

Anyhow, last week my family and I were turned away at the door of the Church we went to – not our usual stomping ground – we were one of those visitors that priests in the 1980s used to make a point of welcoming. But although it did feel a bit like something out of 1984, this was no ordinary Mass. It was a something entirely new – a so called “vaxed Mass” – and we had misread the internet notice online and thought it was going to be open for everyone. We were wrong.

Upon arrival I was a little surprised to see the ‘officials’, a couple of elderly volunteers, set up at a desk in the doorway of the church building, all masked up and checking everyone’s phones for credentials and ensuring the hand sanitiser was being liberally pumped where there used to be holy water. The line of well masked grannies, the odd one with a wee well masked grandchild in toe was out the door and Mass was late as the queue took some time.The priest couldn’t hide his clear embarrassment behind his mask as he pulled us aside out of the line and explained – albeit gently – that this Mass was ‘vaxed’ and maybe we could all go elsewhere.

We all got back in the car. My wife couldn’t help it – breaking down and tearing up as soon as we were away from the public eye. There is a rightful grief here for what has been lost in our Catholic Communities.

But here’s an ironic thing. The very same parish where this happened, today posted an advertisement for their youth group. The Bible quote they used boldly states “Be not afraid!”

It made me wonder how this parish understands this type of speech from the Lord.

I felt like posting something like …

“Nice bible quote guys! It’s actually perfect! Sort of highlights the need for absolute safey so no-one (especially not Christians) ever need to ever feel afraid. Jesus wouldn’t ever want us to have to worry. It’s like He’s giving us a perfect tool – a tool for confidence! It’s like He’s encouraging us just to embrace certain rules for life so we don’t ever even have to see those other people – you know – the ones who are causing all the fear in this world – like those teachers and kids who left the school in term 4 last year, or those terrible people who won’t mask up or use that app thing or who won’t just go to the doctor when they’re told. Like why should we get into trouble or have to worry about catching scary bugs – All because of them! Jesus is so clear. He wants us, and not them! That’s why he says ‘peace be with you’! So now we won’t ever have to worry ?. Isn’t God just so awesome! ”

Luckily I refrained from doing that. Awkward! Not a good look. Not good for the reputation eh? Afterall, it’s not the youth group’s fault.

But it all just made me wonder, in this day and age, especially in the Church – the one that we call One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic – why we don’t just take Christ at his word and actually just “BE NOT AFRAID!!!”

The Reflection

“I realise that a post I put up yesterday has been a difficult read for some and several times I considered pulling it down and maybe deactivating my account for the year ahead.

I think however I need to clarify a few things.
Firstly I did not share the story out of anger. I do not feel angry with anyone at all. I haven’t lost my peace. And I don’t have any hard feelings towards anyone – priests, parishioners or youth group organizers. I know they are all trying their best to serve the church under the most trying of circumstances – and it is especially true in the parish concerned. I know it is not easy for our priests – they have many masters to serve.

I certainly don’t want to get into theories about how much faith people have or whether they are heaven or hell bound. I am a sinner and I know it too well.

I simply wanted to remind our Catholic communities that Christ chose to die on a hill – and he calls each one of us to share in that path – to go to that place – without fear.

Segregation is wrong. It always has been. It was wrong in 1981 and it remains so. There is no moral or scientific justification for it. It is purely political. And it is causing harm.

But I am aware that following Christ to the cross means being prepared to lose one’s reputation, mana, respectability and comforts in order to first stand and perhaps die on that hill for what is right.

I don’t know about you, but I think that opposing segregation in the Church is one of those hills I need to first stand on and if necessary be perfectly prepared to die on.

Jesus caused quite a stir when he toppled the tables in the foyer of the Temple. I am not Jesus, but the segregation tables in the foyers of our churches all need to be thrown over. I’ll gladly lend my weight to helping to do that – and I don’t care about spilling the hand sanitiser. I know it won’t make me popular. It will earn me more enemies – but I’m honestly not concerned at all about that.

I hope and pray that once those tables topple (and they will) our crucified Jesus will heal the wounds in his mystical body the Church and forgive those who for one reason or another – even unknowingly – are inflicting those wounds. Lord have mercy on us all!

But these are wounds nonetheless – and wounds are never comfortable.”

Posts have been used with permission.