The question arises, ‘God, where were you in 2020?’

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.”

Thus begins psalm 136, one of my favorite psalms. The New American Bible comments, “This hymn has the form of a ‘litany,’ that is, each half-verse followed by a refrain….” In this back-and-forth format, the psalm begins with an introduction and conclusion to give grateful praise to the Lord. “…[T]his hymn extols the Lord’s greatness in creating the universe (4-9), as well as his goodness in bringing Israel to the Promised Land (10-22) and in having pity on the misery of his people (23-25),” states the New American Bible.

The psalm recalls how God accompanied his people, remembered them in their abjection, protected, freed and provided for them. We may cry out, “God, where were you in 2020?”

God was with us in our loved ones who passed on, perhaps even because of COVID-19.

I recall with gratefulness Deacon Don Rogozenski’s service to our parish and the many parishioners who have left us.

God is still with us in the sacraments: I am grateful that, after the spring shutdown, we are able to celebrate the Eucharist (literally, as its name states, a banquet of thanksgiving) and the other sacraments: reconciliation, anointing of the sick, matrimonies and baptisms.

I am grateful that we still carry on our mission to proclaim the Gospel through our staff, clergy and religious sisters who, whether from home or onsite, have continually and faithfully served us through the challenges of the year.

I am grateful to our hero-parishioners and non-parishioners (all volunteers) who not only continue to provide food for the needy and shelter to the homeless, but are even able to feed twice as many people safely. God truly provides when we take the risk of doing good in tough times.

God is still providing for us through generous parishioners who employ their time, talents and treasure to sustain our parish and make it thrive through fundraising and by staying connected. Their creativity and sense of unity are an example to us.

I am thankful to all parishioners who, in faith and love, continue to support the parish and its staff and leaders. Your prayers and generosity are well noted.

I am thankful to health care workers, first-responders, people who serve the public, caregivers and all who continue to be neighbors to the elderly, homebound and those in need. Your work is saving and lifting lives.

I still pray psalm 136. It is not a utopian hymn about bliss in the world. It is about the Hebrew term hesed, a word dense in meaning that refers to God’s ongoing love and mercy toward humanity and about love and kindness between people, even in the sense of “repairing the world.”

The psalm conveys confidence that God continues to walk with us, even in the midst of the trials and abjection of 2020. Like the psalmist, people of faith are not a naïve people; rather, our faith recognizes that we are blessed and that we need one another, especially in moments like 2020.

Has it been a hard year? Absolutely! Do we still have reasons to be thankful? Certainly!

As Catholics, we still give thanks in the Eucharist. As a people of this tried, yet great nation, we still give thanks to God and to one another during this time of thanksgiving.

Father Matthew R. Weber is pastor of Holy Cross Parish, Bridgeton.