News - Deacon Luis Zuñiga Column RSS Feed

Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, many today feel downcast, distraught and discouraged along the road of uncertainty. The global pandemic we are experiencing has left so many grieving the loss of a loved one and living in fear of getting sick. Watching the news every day is very depressing, hearing the numbers of those testing positive for the virus and death tolls as well as the countless left unemployed.

Who would have thought a few weeks ago that we would be hearing the words “social distancing,” “self-isolation” or “quarantine”? First, not being able to share the sign of peace at Mass and then not being able to attend Holy Mass, much less not being able to receive the precious Body of our Lord Jesus in the most sacred Eucharist.

Over the past four years, the Church in the United States has journeyed together through the consultation process of the Fifth National Ecuentro for Hispanic/Latino ministry. The Encuentro process has generated many fruits in many of our parishes and dioceses. The whole experience of the Fifth National Encuentro has been described as a “moment of grace” and has given the Church a sense of hope and joy, not only for our Hispanic/Latino brothers and sisters but for the Catholic Church as a whole.

There are moments when life makes no sense. When someone dies after suffering due to illness. When someone you know commits suicide and their family still struggles to understand. When you see those coping with depression, trying to survive day by day. At such times, it seems all we can do is pray with them.

Last month I watched the movie A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, with Tom Hanks portraying the beloved Mr. (Fred) Rogers. I must say it was a great movie, very insightful. It was somewhat nostalgic, but at the same time it made me think what a great human being Fred Rogers was and how much he influenced the world with his gentleness and sincerity.