Mtr Kelli Joyce

Dear Friends in Christ,

I've heard some people describe the time we're going through as a "fast" from the Eucharist and from gathering together for worship. And while it's certainly true that we aren't partaking in those things now, I think the language of "famine" might be more appropriate. A fast means temporarily choosing to deny yourself something that you could have, for the sake of spiritual growth. But none of us have chosen to give up the way we used to worship together - it is simply not available to us right now.

But I believe in the God who provided manna in the wilderness. We are finding, by the grace of God, ways to make it through this desert time. God is sustaining our spirits with strange nourishment, things we've never done before, things that make us say "what is it?"

Even still, it's easy to long for what we knew before. The Israelites said "‘If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we used to eat in Egypt for nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.’" I'll admit, I feel that way sometimes these days. "If only I could go to Mass! I remember how we used to sing together and pass the peace to each other, and now my strength is dried up, and there's nothing at all but another Zoom meeting to look at."

But the truth is, the God who provides manna in barren lands is the same God who is also leading us back to a land of plenty - flowing with milk and honey. What God is providing us with on the way may not be exactly what we want, but it is enough. As we travel through this unknown wilderness together, God has promised to sustain us. God is not surprised or confused or taken off guard by what is happening, and God will not leave us or forsake us, but will be with us as we journey. The manna God provides will be enough, for as long as we need it.

In peace,
Mtr Kelli