The world is understandably anxious in the face of the Coronavirus. Public health organizations, governments, and Christian denominations are responding in many helpful ways. I encourage you to keep vigilant about this issue, to be proactive in following the directives for the people in your community, to attend to your health, and, to stay in touch with your friends, family, neighbors, and, your St. Paul’s family.
I also encourage you to look to God. Jesus tells us in John’s Gospel (14:27), ” Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” The Coronovirus reminds us of something we often choose to ignore: that despite all of our relative wealth, security, technology, and, sophistication as individuals and societies, we are not immune to a fallen world’s difficulties and diseases. This is part of the message of Lent: we are mortal.
If we linger too much on this reality, fear can enslave us. If we acknowledge that uncertainty, act faithfully, and offer the rest to God we can find peace and joy in the midst of disturbance and anxiety. This threat also reminds us of what is truly important: God, people, health, and simple freedoms like the ability to go to a concert or drop our children off at school. Coronavirus is not a blessing, it is something that must be contained and we pray, cured.
But, by letting this virus be a teacher to us, a teacher of what is important, and letting it guide our attention to the most important things, we may be blessed in spite of it. Jesus’ forty days and nights in the wilderness were hard. This season will be hard for us as individuals and as a community. But, with God’s help, with reaching out and caring for one another, we may find ourselves celebrating Easter with greater need and greater joy.
In Christ,
Fr. Paul+