The virus and me
Coronavirus: a word that we will never forget. We heard it for the first time back in January. Something was happening in China, far away but now it’s very real for all of us.
I don’t think any of us can say they are not worried about the future: for our loved ones, our parents, our grandparents, ourselves. It’s always looming and forever present, when we wake up and we try to go to sleep: coronavirus, the sick, the death toll, lockdown, social distancing, etc.
In Ireland the increase is eminent. Our efforts are to flatten that curve as best we can and God willing, we will. In the meantime though, what can we do with our days, apart from working remotely and trying to keep up with our changing circumstances.
Pray
It’s obvious but truly needed. If we are to take the example of someone who was at the frontline of many illnesses and suffering, we can look no further than to Saint Teresa of Calcutta. And her answer to all the suffering in the world? Prayer first and foremost.
Prayer first and then action. Because only with prayer are you able to act with true charity.
Cardinal Sarah recounts a beautiful story of a young priest meeting Mother Teresa and asking for her advice. Mother Teresa asked the young priest “For how much time do you pray each day?”. He replied, “Mother, I expected from you instead this question: What acts of charity do you do?”. And he goes on:
Suddenly Mother Teresa’s face became very serious again, and she said in a stern tone of voice: “Do you think that I could practice charity if I did not ask Jesus every day to fill my heart with his love? Do you think that I could go through the streets looking for the poor if Jesus did not communicate the fire of his charity to my heart?”.
Our times are troubling. We feel tired because of all this expectation and worry. But in all this, know that your true source of joy and peace comes from prayer. That time you spend with Our Lord in personal, honest prayer of one heart to Another.
You may not be able to be close to Him in the Eucharist, but count on it that He is very close to you at this time. As Sacred Scripture says: “Grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (Ephesians 4:7). And Christ’s gift is limitless, particularly at this time.