We are living in unprecedented times. COVID-19 has brought this world to a standstill, and it is only through great technology where we can have any sense of normalcy, continue to work and have connection with others, and receive information about what we are facing.
Things have been disrupted, yes. Trillions have been lost in the economies across the globe. Jobs have been lost.
People have died, and continue to do so.
Life across this world has been disrupted in a way not seen since World War II, perhaps the Great Depression. But I’m not sure anything has ever impacted the world in such a way in such a short period of time.
This is truly unprecedented.
But when you look at it, it pales in comparison to what God can do. This is a blip in time. The ramifications will be felt for some time, but we will recover. Hopefully we’ll learn some things. But this is just a blip in time.
And while this time is unprecedented in most of our lifetimes, God deals in the unprecedented. That’s how He works. And we celebrate today the Annunciation of the greatest thing that He ever did – becoming human. Being born a person so that He could die for us, to save us from Satan and our sins, so we could have eternal life in Heaven.
Talk about unprecedented.
Kind of makes today look pretty small. And this is what the annunciation does, it gives us hope. Hope for a new tomorrow. Hope for a new beginning, a renewal, a resurrection.
Jesus came to be one of us, and He never left. He is here, in the flesh every day, not only in the Eucharist but in the people around us. And so, it is in these unprecedented times where we come together a little more, realize that we’re in this together, and that gives us hope.
Hope that the virus will exhaust itself. Hope that the social distancing will flatten that curve. Hope that the economy will come back. Hope that the lives lost will be lessened. And hope that this will somehow bring us closer to Jesus, that our faith will grow, and that we will realize the true importance of life – above and beyond material things.
Parishes across the world have had Masses suspended. Churches are closed, ministries cancelled. But the awesome thing is that so many churches are streaming their Masses live on the internet. They are streaming live praying of the Rosary, live Stations of the Cross, Live Vespers, and the list goes on and on….
There is a ton of prayer going on. And I can tune-in to virtually any Mass I want, and we can attend as a family, and make Spiritual Communion. This time has shown a connectedness in our faith and a closeness in the Church unlike anything I have seen. In many ways I think this situation has brought Catholics closer.
It gives me hope for the future, and the future of the Church.
Unprecedented.
I still can’t get over the fact this is all occurring during Lent. I saw data projections and numbers today that support everything all the experts are telling us, that at least in the U.S., we’re looking at about 6 more weeks of this. As I mentioned last week, let’s not waste this time. Let’s increase our prayer, let’s offer this time up for those around us, for the researchers to develop treatments and a vaccine, for the future of our Church, and most importantly, let’s offer this up for God’s Will.
He is truly amazing and He will turn this mess into something beautiful, something amazing, something unprecedented. Because that is what He did 2000 years ago. That is what he had always done. And that is what He will do today.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
Amen
