A Reflection on Covid19
Published by Dominican Nuns Ireland in Reflections (Other) · 24 January 2021
As many of our friends appreciated our reflection on Covid19 which we shared in our Christmas newsletter we have decided to share it here with you in the hope it will provide some glimmer of hope for those who are struggling with faith at this time.
There is an antiphon we sing in Advent which could have been written for this present time of distress. In the midst of our anguish and confusion, our vulnerability and uncertainty, the Prophet Isaias’ voice resonates with a salutary reminder:
“Say to all faint hearted take courage and have no fear, see your God is coming to save you.”
Our one desire for us all in this time of anxiety and suffering is that our trust in Emmanuel (God with us), will sustain us. All things, even Covid-19, work for good for those who love God. May we receive from His hands the gifts hidden in this deadly virus that is leaving perhaps no human heart unaffected to some extent. God has only one purpose and that is to bring good out of this evil. To that end he came into our world as a vulnerable helpless baby, dependent on others to provide and care for him, and at the last, defenceless in the face of the greatest of all evils, his crucifixion and death. Because of Him all this suffering and death has meaning. It is a redemptive share in his death and as such, can be offered to the Father in intercession for suffering humanity. It is a great tragedy to be without daily Mass and Holy Communion but we can still offer ourselves and the ways in which Covid-19 is hurting us, with and through Jesus to the Father, for the salvation of the whole human race.
Covid 19 has reminded us of many things we had forgotten in our self sufficiency and pseudo autonomy, chief among them being, that we have here no lasting city. It can all be taken from us in a moment. We are on this earth only for a brief space to learn how to bear the beams of love. It is heartening to recall the courageous service of front-line staff in hospitals, and volunteers helping the elderly and infirm. For the most part people have been willing to make great personal sacrifices for the common good, in an effort to contain the spread of this pandemic. In this way so many are forgetful of themselves and reaching out to care for others.
It is ironic that in this era of pro-choice mentality, and extraordinary scientific and technological advancement something as tiny as a virus should play havoc with all our notions of free choice. Confronted with this virus we have all been faced with one simple question - Do I wish to live or die? Do I wish my loved ones to live or die? What can I do to protect myself and others? Faced with the possibility of death and the reality of death for so many, life has become precious, people have become precious. We realise how much we appreciate being alive. Perhaps from the evil that Covid is, we may regain our awareness of the gift that life is, and value it once again in all its dimensions, from conception to natural death.
We may not understand the big picture but we know that Emmanuel (God with us), is truly with us during this season of special grace and we look forward in hope to a time when we will all be together again, a time of beautiful liturgy, family gatherings, celebratory meals, but also as a result of Covid, we look forward to a new way of living, that respects our common humanity and values people as a precious gift.
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