During this present crisis we pray that all of you and your family stay safe and healthy. And yet, we are reminded that each reported case of the Corona virus has behind it a person, a family, a community. We as a church, are called to be in prayer for those affected, those caring for the sick, and those valiantly trying to diagnose and treat patients. As members of the parish of Annunciation-Our Lady of Fatima, we offer our prayers for healing and support for all affected.
We offer continued thanks to the medical professionals, concerned citizens and governmental and non-governmental entities across the state, county and world who are actively advocating for an effective and appropriate solution.
It is important during such a dynamic global event, that we also take the time for an informed and thoughtful response. The need for urgency can be fertile ground for feelings of fear and anxiety within society and our communities.
Fear is one of the most powerful of all human emotions. We are born with it. A little baby must learn to laugh for joy. But from the moment of birth he or she can weep for fear. This seems to suggest that the capacity to be afraid is part of our natural God-given instinct. And if that is the case, our challenge is not to get rid of it, but to learn how to deal with it.
Fear is a vivid reminder or our human limitations. However wise and however strong we may think ourselves to be, sooner or later life will get the upper hand. Unexpected storms will sweep down upon us as has happened with this present crisis. And we will find ourselves in the midst of a problem that we don’t know how to handle. We can neither solve it nor escape it. We have reached the limits of human strength and wisdom.
So then what? When we have faced this truth about our human limitations, where do we go from there? The early disciples can show us a way. In their most desperate need, when all of their efforts had failed, they turned to Jesus for help.
That, of course, can be said in a very superficial way, as if there were something magical about our Catholic faith. Faith is not an easy and automatic solution to the problems of life. Prayer – even the most earnest prayer – will not immediately still the storms and make everything turn out right.
Yet the message of faith is this: even though at times, Jesus may seem to be sound asleep when we need Him, He is there. He has not abandoned the ship, and He will bring us safely through the storms of life. This is a truth we can count on and a truth we need to live by especially in these most turbulent days. Rely on Jesus and He will be there for us always. Be safe and be careful!
