I miss the Eucharist. Not being able to attend Mass in person these past few weeks has really been a wake up call for me. I never realized just how much I loved receiving Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament until it became impossible for me to do so.

I am not saying I am some pious saint or overly holy person (because I most certainly am not either of those), but I miss Jesus being with me once a week in the Eucharist at Sunday Mass. I have pictures of Him in my home and crucifixes and statues that remind me that He is always with me, but it just isn't the same. It is kind of like a loved one who is away from you – they are always in your heart, but it is not the same as having them physically present.

During this time of “social distancing” as we try to contain and halt the spread of COVID-19, I have spent much time alone. This has given me the opportunity to pray more than usual. I have asked God this: “Just what I am supposed to learn from this rather unusual time? What is it that you are saying to me that I never slowed down long enough to listen to before?”

I am not sure I have the complete answer yet, but I do know what I have learned so far:

• Do not take for granted the opportunity of going to Mass. There are many persecuted or sick or homebound Catholics who do not have that great privilege.
• Contemplative prayer can be a great source of comfort. When I direct my thoughts to God or to His Blessed Mother or to my favorite St. Philomena, I do not always have to bend their ears with rote prayers. Sometimes I tell them that I just want to sit silently with them and enjoy their company.
• Praying the “Hail Mary” is healthy. The CDC and other health experts says that you should wash your hands for the same amount of time it takes you to sing “Happy Birthday.” I found it just as effective to wash my hands for the same amount of time it takes me to pray the “Hail Mary.”
• Appreciating family and friends. In the midst of this shutdown, I became a great uncle for the first time. When I first learned my niece and her husband were to have a baby, I promised them I would fly to Florida where they live to welcome the newest member of the clan. Sadly, I cannot do that at this time and have yet to meet my great-niece. I long for that day. I also belong to a rather tight-knit group of single and married friends who get together frequently for impromptu dinners or casual cups of coffee or quick visits. While we call and text each other, it is not the same thing as sitting across the table from them sharing their company and their friendship.

Of course, not everything I have learned is profound. For instance, being homebound, I have discovered that my dog sleeps on the sofa. Usually, when I am around, he sleeps on his pillow by the fireplace. But, since I have been working from home and my “office” is upstairs in the guest bedroom out of sight of my dog, my Dusty must think I am at the real office. When I come downstairs to get a cup of coffee, I find him stretched out snoring away on the sofa. I do not mind him doing so, and the only reason why I think he has made a secret of it is that somehow it is more enjoyable to him if he thinks he is doing something forbidden.

I know this distancing from each other goes against human nature. We are social animals – most of us, anyway – and we need contact with each other. But this alone, quiet time can be used for our benefit, not just physically, but spiritually as well.

A good friend told me that this sheltering in place and social distancing is almost as if God has told His errant children, “Now go to your room and think about what you have done.” I am indeed thinking about what I have done, and I am also thinking about what I have not done and what I need to do. I am also praying for an end to this pandemic. Here's hoping we all make good use of this “time out.”

(Richard Szczepanowski is the managing editor of the Catholic Standard newspaper and website of the Archdiocese of Washington.)