A month after President Duterte announced the Luzon total lockdown, coronavirus infections continued to spread especially in the National Capital Region with thousands of affected people in the region despite the government’s effort to contain the spread of the virus. Many are sick and suffering as the toll of rising deaths likewise grew. And to make matters worse, more people became desperate in finding ways to put food on their tables since work and public transport were also temporarily suspended in order to stringently implement the government’s STAY HOME policy to confine everyone in their homes as a way to implement social distancing to contain the spread of the virus.
The country experienced the non-observance of mass gatherings of the faithful during the Lenten season. Many Catholic churches have opted for the use of online social media and radio broadcasts to observe the highlights of the Lenten season. Parishioners were strategically divided on how to celebrate such a major Catholic event they have been doing ever since.
And because of the rising death tolls, fears have shaken some of the faithful especially the families of the coronavirus fatalities. The sudden deaths of their loved ones crumbles their belief. The problems on the loss of sustainability living resources likewise created apprehensions on their beliefs. The lack of guidance and access to spiritual insights left many of the faithful in the gnawing worm spiritual darkness. Leading them to experience spiritual crises within.
Below are a few pointers for everyone to consider in this very hard times of our lives:
Keep calm. It doesn’t mean we are not concerned about the threats of the coronavirus. But panic and fear are the works of the devil to confuse you. Gnawing anxiety will only inhibit grief and create mental blocks that can hamper your way of thinking. We can maintain our inner sense of calmness by being hopeful and positive. Abhor fake news, rumors and gossip.Mongers are the disciples of Satan, the Prince of Lies. Just remember what Jesus tells so many times, “Do not be afraid!”
PRAY: Lord, please bless me with the courage to resist panic and your guiding hand to overcome my fear for the threat of this disease. And please give me the wisdom to see through things that will most benefit the welfare of many.
Stop the hate. Avoid being mean and adding fuel to the fire. Demonizing or adding fuel to the fire does not make one better from the other. Early on during the outbreak of the virus, many have bad mouthed and branded the Chinese due to the coronavirus. Now, even those people who have been in direct contact with patients and workers like frontliners and former patients are being subjected to criticisms and outcasting.
Being sick and having an illness is not a punishment! Do remember that Jesus understands suffering and pain because He spent a lot of His lifetime with the sick and those who suffer. And because He is human who was also subjected to the ultimate kinds of pain and suffering, He hates no one yet He died suffering for us.
PRAY: Lord, extend your healing hands to cure the sick and those who suffer.
Be compassionate. Care for the sick and the needy. In this critical time, compassion is a very priceless value one can give. Do not close your hearts and try to share a little if not more especially to those with limited food and healthcare resources. Also, you need no media exposure to do the act of kindness for our Father knows the value of our acts even without a snapshot.
PRAY: Lord, please fill my heart with pure humility and selfless ideals in order to help the greater good.
Pray and bless. Lest we forgot to praise with prayers the goodness of our Lord and seek His guidance for the things we ought to do in this crisis. And much needed is uttering bliss for the people especially those hardly affected by this disease.
PRAY: Lord bless the world and the people all over it so that they can be empowered by your goodness and wisdom.
Trust God is with you. The feeling of isolation is prevalent among those people in pain and suffering. These feelings make one’s faith crumble on the side. Imagine patients dying in isolation and without their loved ones on their side. Imagine the dead without being accorded the proper rites to send them off. Imagine you who cannot work and cannot buy food for your family because of the lockdown. It is said that the feeling of isolation is dreadful than death itself. But TRUST IN GOD is the only thing you need and your vital lifeline to the Almighty God. Never lose it and remain steadfast to your faith in God is the ONLY key to continue your journey in sickness and in health.
PRAY: Lord, I extend my hands for You to hold me as I shut my weary eyes to rest and trust I will not perish.
The lasting effect of the coronavirus pandemic remains to be seen. It poses a different dynamic on how we can grow and share the goodness of having faith in God by loving our neighbors when now we can’t even get near them. But whatever the future holds, God is just a prayer away.
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