Did any of us think we’d still be here? In many pockets of Canada and surely at times in your own heart, hope may be waning a bit. It might seem like things will never go back to “normal.”
The world is self-soothing and virtual group-hugging with maxims like “we’re all in this together” and other platitudes that are, of course, well-meaning. The intention is to spread hope in a very trying and frightening situation. It is a nice sentiment (we’re good at sentiments). But, for many reasons, it’s not true.
In the end, we aren’t “in this together.” There won’t be a bandwagon upon which we can ride into the afterlife. God is the only source of hope. Social activism can only give us a temporary boost. We need to go to God for lasting peace and joy. So while “community” (is social media called “community” now?) and rallying together are so important earth-side, pseudo-activism can distract us from what is really inside us: lots of fear.
Are we this afraid of death? Or rather, the perceived threat of potential death?
It would appear that we are.
For many, the religion of today is the worship of human achievement and the belief that science will save us. So, until science pulls through, there are a lot of arrows to follow and masks to be worn – and, sadly, name-calling and public shaming for those who have reservations (even some reasonable ones) about it all.
Jesus tells us we need not fear that which kills the body but only that which kills the soul. He tells us that light has come into the world but that the world preferred darkness to light. He tells us that in the world we will have trouble but that he has conquered the world. “I pray not for the world but for those whom you gave me,” he says.
“I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world.” Have we considered how much Jesus emphasizes our not belonging in the world? The Gospels are full of Jesus talking about the “world” as being separate from him and his flock; we were never meant to be clumped in with the world.
This is not our home. Many people around us have systematically and radically chosen not to follow God’s commandments. If we choose not to follow laws of our land, that puts us in conflict with the state. It is no different with God. There are natural consequences when we choose to live contrary to God’s designs (he did design this excursion we call life on earth).
Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commands.” Do we keep his commands? Do we revisit his promises in the Scriptures and place our hope in them? Or do seek out and settle for counterfeit sources of hope?
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid” (Jn 14:27).
St. Teresa of Avila wrote, “Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. All things are passing away. God never changes.” This virus, too, shall pass away. But in the meantime, we must be prepared to give a reason for our hope. That reason is the person of Jesus Christ. He was born. He lived. And he is who he said he is.
Do you believe everything he said? If you do, untangle yourself from the world’s frenzy and encounter anew the Creator of the world and the author of all the laws of science, the only one who saves you over and over again.
