Our hearts are crushed

The Catholic Bishops of Ohio have written a letter:

suspending temporarily all publicly celebrated Masses/liturgies, at least through the celebrations of Holy Week and Easter.

They go on to write:

This decision is not taken lightly and, as your bishops, causes us great sadness. However, after consultation with the governor and health officials we are convinced that this is the most prudent and necessary action.

For me, someone who participates in the Sacred Liturgy almost every day, this is not just a sadness, it is heart breaking.  

Kathryn Lopez, at NRO wrote on about a similar decision on the ides of March:

I am certain that that’s one of the last things Cardinal Dolan wanted to have to do, keep people from Mass. It’s counter to the priestly heart. But he also has a responsibility to keep people safe, and cooperate with civic authorities (in ways not counter to conscience)

I do not bear the shepherd's yoke, or wield his crozier, and have no desire to do so.  But as the ancients have said:

We can not live without the eucharist.

It is nearly impossible to live without the eucharist.  It crushes the human heart to be cut off from the land of the living.

But it is important to remember that the eucharistic sacrifice continues in the daily offerings of priests and bishops throughout the world.

What is life? What is eternal life?  'To know the only true God, and him who He has sent, Jesus Christ.'

May this temporary suspension end quickly!