“Beatitudes for Health Care Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic”

Blessed are the ones who cannot be isolated.

Blessed are the doctors, the nurses, chaplains and hospital staff.

Blessed are the hands that scrub and sanitize, and the hands of our priests that bless with the oil of healing.

Blessed are the feet that ache from standing at bedsides and running between rooms.

Blessed are the hearts that are frightened and breaking.

Blessed are the mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, sisters and brothers, partners and friends, who cannot go home and the patients who cannot be visited.

Blessed are the families who become isolated from each other, the ones who sacrifice personal comfort, that we need not be alone in our suffering.

Blessed are the sick, the dying, those who bear the image of Christ Jesus before us.

Blessed are those who look upon this secret work as a gift.

Blessed are those who are overwhelmed.

Blessed are all who will struggle to process all the change that lies ahead.

Blessed are the strong.

Blessed are You, O God, quietly holding each of us along the way.

Come quickly, abide unceasingly, love us …
Give us the help we need to see our way out.
This we pray through Christ Our Lord. Amen.