Weekly Issues: Reflection on Christian Spirituality in a Pandemic
April 7, 2020
As the COVID 19 continues to infect and cause death in 151 countries, some of us may be tempted to wonder why this is happening. We turn to God for His protection but also to ask WHY. Why did He allow the pandemic to happen and why has He not stopped it. Mark 4:34-41 may have the answers. In the passage we recall Jesus and his disciples on a boat in the Sea of Galilee. A violent storm came and threatened to sink their boat. They roused Jesus from his sleep and pleaded for his intervention. We know the rest of story.
God did not bring about the storm in the Sea of Galilee and neither did he make the pandemic happen. Speculations abound on how this corona virus became pathogenic including possibly the use of genetic engineering to create a biological weapon. As to the origin of the virus COVID 19, scientists are convinced it was a product of natural evolution of the corona virus in bats that became pathogenic to man possibly through an intermediate host and not a product of genetic engineering. It emerged in Wuhan China late last year.
We have pleaded and continue to plead through our prayers for God’s intervention to put an end to the pandemic. He has intervened by imparting his wisdom on our leaders and scientists on how to stop further infection and death by COVID 19. They have called us to practice safe distancing and stay at home. God’s hand is in both. By staying at home, God is protecting us from the virus and calling us back to our family, the bedrock of faith – to break bread together, to pray together, and to deepen our relationships with each other. Social distancing was meant to slow down the spread of the virus but it also changed dramatically how we practice our faith. With churches temporarily closed, God guided our bishops, priests and deacons on novel ways to nurture our faith through video streaming of Masses, drive by confessions, exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in parking lots and the practice of Spiritual Communion. God will bring an end to this pandemic. He will “calm the storm”.
We have pleaded and continue to plead through our prayers for God’s intervention to put an end to the pandemic. He has intervened by imparting his wisdom on our leaders and scientists on how to stop further infection and death by COVID 19. They have called us to practice safe distancing and stay at home. God’s hand is in both. By staying at home, God is protecting us from the virus and calling us back to our family, the bedrock of faith – to break bread together, to pray together, and to deepen our relationships with each other. Social distancing was meant to slow down the spread of the virus but it also changed dramatically how we practice our faith. With churches temporarily closed, God guided our bishops, priests and deacons on novel ways to nurture our faith through video streaming of Masses, drive by confessions, exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in parking lots and the practice of Spiritual Communion. God will bring an end to this pandemic. He will “calm the storm”.
God gave us the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity. As he continues his intervention in this pandemic, let us be strong in faith that God will “quiet the storm”, hope that the pandemic will end soon, and stretch further our practice of charity to those most adversely impacted by the pandemic.
God will never leave or forsake us! (Hebrews 13:5)
Rev. Mr. Perfecto R. Santiago, Permanent Deacon
Rev. Perfecto R. Santiago completed Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at the University of the Philippines, 1964. He retired from USDA, FSIS in July 2010 after 42 years of service. He served as Deputy Assistant Administrator (Senior Executive Service) the last 10 years. He received the Sacrament of Holy Orders as a Permanent Deacon at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC on August 26, 2000. Presently he is serving as Permanent Deacon at St. Francis of Assisi, Grapevine, TX. Prior to serving at St. Francis, Deacon Santiago served at St. Mary of the Mills, Laurel, Maryland for 19 years. Deacon Santiago has been married to Maria Pura for 51 years and blessed with two sons and four grandchildren.
Thank you Deacon Santiago for this spiritual message.