A month ago, I attended the annual national gathering of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commission that took place in San Diego. Being with a bunch of liturgists in a room is quite interesting. Negotiation is not part of their vocabulary. Needless to say, the yearly topic is always very enlightening.

One of the speakers, Rev. Ed Foley, a prolific writer, challenged all of us who were gathered to broaden our horizons. He told us to explore what it means to minister in the virtual world. Since the pandemic started, technology has been one of the major tools that enabled the Church to reach out to the community. Social media has become the venue for Sunday Eucharist and other liturgical celebrations. It was unimaginable to celebrate the Easter Triduum and Christmas of 2020 via social media. But again, through the use of modern technology, the community of faith was able to “gather”- to join in the celebration of the Church’s high holy days.

The downside of course is that people who join the virtual liturgies, miss the essence of the celebration – the reception of Holy Communion. Listening to the proclamation of the Word of God and reflecting on them can satiate our needs to be inspired and move into action, but it is in receiving the Holy Eucharist that we experience the tangible presence of God: We become aware of our communion with the Divine Presence. To use the words of St. Augustine, “We become what we eat.” The more we receive Him the more we grow and the more we grow the more we become like Christ.

Although virtual Mass is helpful and widely accepted, Fr. Foley asked us to think of how we can transform our homes namely, the kitchen table, computer tables, living and dining tables to a sacred space where we can continue to encounter the “holy.” We can’t just roll out of bed and begin to “watch” mass. It needs some preparation. Maybe a candle that is to remind us of Christ light in our midst. Maybe a bible opened to the gospel of the day to remind us how God’s Word is truly alive and effective. In other words, Virtual Mass, should be experienced with the same reverence as entering a church – for our homes can be and should be a sacred space to celebrate God’s presence in our lives.

We are people of senses; we want to touch, feel, smell, hear and see. I think what Fr. Foley is inviting us to do is to reach out to those in the virtual world. How can we be attuned to their spiritual needs? How can we help them realize and understand the importance of having a sacred space where the Body of Christ gathers?