(This is Archbishop Wilton Gregory's “What I Have Seen and Heard” column for the April 30, 2020 Catholic Standard newspaper and website of the Archdiocese of Washington.)

It’s a word that we now use repeatedly, especially at this time of year – Alleluia!

For some of our kids at the beginning of Lent, they were instructed in their religious education classes to “bury the Alleluia – or just put it away.” And like kids everywhere, they were very determined on following that exact protocol. Well, now the Alleluia has arisen and has been set free again! This simple word proudly proclaims to everyone that something wonderful has happened, and we want to announce it repeatedly and with gusto!  Alleluia means “Praise God!”

Alleluia belongs in a unique way to the Easter season, but we continue to use it throughout the liturgical year – except during Lent. Although when we use it at Easter time, it reveals the depth of joy that fills the heart of the Church at Christ’s Resurrection. God indeed has done something spectacular and wonderful in raising Jesus from the tomb. And none of us can applaud Him enough for this redemptive deed.

It's as though the entire Church is engaged in a gigantic pep-rally for God’s magnificent accomplishments throughout the Easter season whenever we sing or utter this ancient acclamation of adoration. Yet each one of us has so many other personal reasons to acclaim God’s goodness in our own lives. 

As we are currently sequestered in our homes because of covid-19, we might not give much thought to all the wonderful ways that God continues to bless us. During moments like we are now experiencing, we might tend to forget that God’s goodness is still to be found in our families, in our faith – even when we cannot share personally in the ritual celebrations that mean so much to us. God is good all the time, and it is simply our responsibility to discover and to reflect upon how God’s generous love has touched our lives.

There are many things that bring anxiety and sorrow to our lives at this time. We listen to the mounting lists of those who have died because of this virus. We are shocked at the numbers of people who have lost their jobs because of the economic wreckage that this disease has brought to the entire world. We worry about the vulnerable people who are frightened because of the spread of this pandemic. All of those sentiments might make us less than enthusiastic about crying out, “Alleluia.” 

But even in the midst of the sorrow, there are expressions of spontaneous gratitude for the selfless service of so many medical staff persons, first responders, generous benefactors, and ordinary people who rise to the occasion with their charitable service. All of them deserve an Alleluia. And we have seen such expressions of gratitude coming from the homes and apartments of folks who spontaneously step forward to applaud those who serve and protect us.

Musicians sing and play, people wave flags, bang pots and pans, and clap in tribute to the courage and service of people who often risk their own lives in caring for others. Alleluia fits comfortably in such contexts as we Praise God for the goodness of these folks especially during these challenging moments. Drop a line to someone you know who is working to keep life going for us all. Thank a priest, deacon, or religious who continues to make themselves available for the mission of the Church. 

I would be remiss if I did not conclude this column with a word of deep thanks for the staff of our Pastoral Center who have managed to keep the Archdiocese of Washington forging ahead through their creative and wonderful service. I am also grateful to our parish personnel who continue to find ways to help the Church keep up its presence in the lives of our people. There are lots of reasons to shout out “Alleluia,” not just for the great gift of the Risen Lord, but for all of His people who serve in His name. Alleluia!