CORONA 2020: PAINFUL BLESSINGS
The virus of fear, anxiety, despair and uncertainty spreading fast. All seen from the tri-dimensional angle. “How can you say O Jacob, how can you complain O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my rights are ignored by my God?” (Is 40, 27).
Do not stop at the wall in front of you and say it is all dark on the other side and hence let us stop here and return.
The challenge is to move to the fourth dimensional angle: “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth?” (Is 40,28). “..and they will soar as with eagle’s wings…”(Is 40,31).
Mount up with wings, soar high and look from above and you see the painful blessings of Corvid 19.
Who said the church is sustained by the “activities” of priests? Who said people come to the church because of the success and efficiency of priests? Who said , religiosity is in ceremonial, ritualistic, external performances?
It is a blessing to have time TO BE PRIESTS. It is a blessing to have time TO COME APART TO A LONELY PLACE AND REST A WHILE. It is a blessing for a priest to go back to the essence of sacrifice: SELF OFFERING. It is a blessing TO REALIZE THE RSPONSIBILITY TO HOLD THE WHOLE WORLD IN THE HEART. It is a blessing to realize that as a priest I DO NOT KNOW THE RESPONSES TO THE PRAYERS I RECITE EVERYDAY, which I USUALLY think is the duty of the people. It is a blessing, the return of the FAMILIAL CHRUCH, AN ESSENTIAL DIMENSION OF FAITH FORMATION AND TRANSMISSION.
It is a blessing to realize that PHYSICAL CLOSENESS IS NOT THE CORE OF AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS. It is a blessing to realize that HALF OF THE FOOD I NORMALLY CONSUME WOULD BE ENOUGH FOR MY NORMAL SUSTENANCE. It is a blessing to realize that MY FAMILY WELLBEING IS THE SOLE MOTIVATION FOR MY WORK AND SO GREED FOR MONEY is meaningless.
It is a blessing that THE WIVES HAVE GOT THEIR HUSBANDS BACK AND THE HUSBANDS THEIR WIVES AND THE CHILDREN THEIR PARENTS and PARENTS THEIR CHILDREN. It is a blessing, you can ENJOY THE TABLE FELLOWSHIP.
It is a blessing to enjoy THE SILENCE, THE LAUGHTER AND THE SHADES OF COLOURS IN THE LIVES OF THE OTHERS AROUND US.
It is a blessing TO BE NOT ONLY IN THE COMMUNITY BUT ALSO TO BE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND WITH THE COMMUNITY. It is a blessing to RTETURN TO READING A SERIOUS BOOK.
It is a blessing TO REFIND THE MEANING OF LIFE AND ENJOY IT TO THE FULL. It is a blessing to REALIZE ONCE AGAIN THAT I CAN DIE FOR MY BROTHER AND MY SISTER… AND INDEED JOYFULLY.
All these, in spite of everything, even death, loss and pain. “ But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength…they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and never get tired.” (Is 40,31).
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