Retreat: a Lenten Quarantine Reflection

A quick post with some Holy Week quarantine thoughts.

Holy Week is upon us! And I need not look any further than my to-do list of online homework to know the constraints of social distancing and quarantine remain upon us as well.

I know for me, approaching this week of all weeks has been particularly challenging. My heart yearns for the beauty of the Triduum: the significance of Holy Thursday, the solemnity of Good Friday, the intentional silence of Holy Saturday, and then the explosion of joy which is Easter Sunday. I would really like to set my foot in a church. I’ve exhausted all the different livestreaming options, and my internet connection dislikes them all.

It is undeniable that this Holy Week will look different from any Holy Week we have experienced before. But I also believe that if we are open to it Our Lord will grant us graces during this Holy Week greater than any we have experienced before. He knows our sorrows, and He knows our struggles. He is with us through it all.

We have a chance this week to truly enter into the silence and slowness of our new daily routines. And rather than becoming frustrated by it, let’s use this as an opportunity. This is an opportunity to dig into prayer, to take time to do the readings and devotions we haven’t had the time for in the past. Recently, I overheard someone complain that this time was too “monastic” for them. As someone who enjoys a busy lifestyle and having a full calendar, I can sympathize with the sentiment. But this week of all weeks, let’s make the most of this extra time. In a round about way, we are all being given a retreat on a silver platter. But it’s up to us to accept it! Let’s make the most of the time that is given to us, and use it to retreat to Our Lord as we commemorate His passion, death, and resurrection.

A couple recommendations:

- Finally read that book you’ve been wanting to read. You know the one.

- Facetime some friends and say a Rosary or a Divine Mercy Chaplet together. It’s a beautiful way to feel connected across distances.

- If you’re a person who needs movement to concentrate, like me, go on a rosary run or walk. Even listen to praise and worship while you go… it can be a better pump up than you might think.

- Look up some ways to say the Stations of the Cross and meditate on them leading up to Good Friday. There are many different variations, including one of my favorites which incorporates the Stations with passages from St. Faustina’s Diary.

- Try the Liturgy of the Hours. It will be very confusing, but even if you’re not doing it completely right, it’s a great way to schedule your day around prayer.

- Livestream the Easter liturgies. Yes, the connection may be spotty, but it is still good to remain united to the greatest prayer of the Church. Make those spiritual communions, am I right?

- Lastly, DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE SILENCE. Quiet yourself enough to sit with God and let Him know you are there. There is no magic formula for prayer. God speaks in the silence, and this is one of our few times in life when we have silence in abundance. Keep Him company.

For me, personally, the heaviness of this virus hit on Ash Wednesday. That day, non-coincidentally, was the first day any of my plans were affected and this whole thing became real. I remember wondering whether or not it would be lifted by Easter. And the answer would seem to be no. No, this won’t be changed in the way that I want it to change. But I’m starting to learn, that while I have every reason to be angry and upset, it honestly doesn’t make my days any better to sit in and ruminate over my misfortunes.

Let’s choose to make this a retreat. And when the silence gets to you, choose to make it a silent retreat! I guarantee you there will be a time in the future when we wish for a chance like this to slow down and enter into prayer. Let’s accept the unforeseen gift He is serving.