In December of 2020, amid the announcement of a new executive order in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam publicly suggested that Christian worship of God is just as effective at home as it is in a church. His comments, which convey his own opinion on what is fitting and proper to worship of God, raise a question for Catholics that is being asked across the nation: is it really that important to be physically present at church when we have the technology to watch a Mass remotely?

Though we cannot and should not mentally limit the grace of God to a physical place, the sacramentality of our Faith reinforces the importance of place in our public worship of God. God will always seek out and find His children who are homebound or infirm. But at the same time, we should hold fast to the truth that Christ in His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity is physically and mysteriously present in the tabernacle of every Catholic church. There we can be near Him in an intimate and unique way.

As Catholics we are called to frequently approach Christ in His mysterious and wonderful sacramental presence, for He is the Bread of Life who is always waiting for us to come to Him and accept His love, mercy, and grace.

In this lesson your students will:

• Explore what Scripture says about worshiping God and being in His presence.
• Discuss the role of government in Christian public worship.
• Consider how the Catholic Church is called to respond in times of crisis and anxiety.
• Examine what the Catechism teaches about the nature and mission of the Church.
• Brainstorm how we can live out Christ’s proclamation that we are to be the light of the world.