At this time, an unknowing and unrest rolls throughout the world and very much is affecting the United States as the COVID-19 pandemic ramps up in numbers tested, afflicted, and those who have passed on. And, at this time, those of us who are consecrated to Christ as Christians of whatever stripe, or as myself, a consecrated Catholic hermit, privately professed and avowed over 19 years, we all must bond together in prayer and encouragement one with another.
Also, as a Catholic hermit, my personal spiritual life and practical life are affected as is anyone else's. We are all in this challenge together--this great trial which is heightening during Lent (no coincidence, I feel). Today our country's president has set the goal of Easter for all of us to continue in our efforts to stay in, to cooperate in physical distancing and only going out for medical, occasional grocery, or if in a high-needed job.
Why Easter? The President finds Easter as do many, to be a hopeful, historical, and spiritually meaningful celebration of resurrection. Will the coronavirus be on the stable or downward trend in all areas of the United States in 19 days? Only God knows. And only we individually and communally can cooperate with one another, with our leaders, and with God to do as needed to slow and stop the spread of a highly contagious, respiratory disease...and to PRAY.
Of course, also as a Christian, consecrated to Christ, professed and avowed Catholic hermit love the goal of our country resurrecting physically, economically, and spiritually on Easter! On behalf of the peoples of the whole world--as an example of how to come together to battle against a pandemic and a witness to God of all of us, I am going to continue sheltering in place, praying, keeping up with prayer specifics but also to focus on the prayer of silence in solitude, of even blind faith in asking His Real Presence to be with us all and inspire everyone to follow the Slow the Spread guidelines, and to PRAY.
In a selection from the classic spiritual treatise of the 15th century The Imitation of Christ (authorship ascribed to Thomas a Kempis), there is encouragement which is appropriate to our crisis. The author, obviously inspired by holy wisdom of the Holy Spirit, encourages us today in keeping and nurturing faith in God.
"Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe? 'Whoever examines the majesty of God will be crushed by His glory' (Prov 25:27). God can do works that pass man's understanding....
"Faith is required of you and sincerity of life; not high intelligence, nor penetrating knowledge of the mysteries of God. If you do not understand nor grasp what is below you, how will you comprehend what is above you? Be subject to God, submit your feeling to the faith, and the light of knowledge will be given to you as much as you need and can use.
"Some have grave temptations concerning faith and sacrament; which are not to be imputed to them, but rather to the enemy. Take no notice, do not argue with your thoughts, nor answer the doubts with which the devil attacks you; believe God's word, believe His saints and prophets, and the wicked enemy will be routed. It is often most profitable to God's servant to endure such things. For the devil does not tempt the infidel or sinner, of whom he has already secure possession; but he uses various means to tempt and harass the devout faithful.
"Go on then with simple unquestioning faith, and approach the Sacrament with reverent beseeching. Anything you cannot understand, commit it surely to God who is omnipotent. God does not deceive you; the over-confident person deceives himself. God walks in step with the simple ones, He shows Himself to the humble ones, He grants understanding to the little ones; 'He reveals hidden meanings to little ones' and hides away His grace from the inquisitive and the proud.
"Human reason is feeble and fallible; but true faith cannot be deceived. All use of reason, all human inquiry should walk in the footsteps of faith; it should not go on in front of it nor call it in question."
So we will be tempted in many ways during these days and weeks of greater trial than most of us have experienced as nations and countries and the world nor has visited us since World War II--and of a different nature: an invisible enemy of disease. Most of us in most states have our churches locked; we do not have the tangible Sacraments.
We must pray and adore in our holy hours within our abodes; and we, in faith, receive spiritual Communion for the inner asking. All the while, our faith leads to hope in God that Easter will come after Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.
Whether or not on April 12 (although in prayerful faith and hope in God and in charity to all we will do our very most diligent efforts to slow and stop the spread of COVID-19), Easter will come. We will rise up yet again with Christ, in Christ. Our time of suffering will pass. We will resurrect by the grace of God's glory and of His Son's death for our sins and the resurrection promise of our salvation.
Keep the faith! Fan the holy flames of hope in God! Do all in charity, including charity in prayer for others and in uniting one with another--no more enemies among us--and do what is tangibly and physically necessary to humble ourselves and sacrifice our self-wants to be out and about, to hoard products. Pray for God's protection of our leaders, our health care professionals, law enforcement, elected politicians as they vote on aid to those most harmed economically and physically.
Let us lead by holy example whether or not anyone sees us but God alone. Be an imitation of Christ--ever a witness of righteousness and great belief in God. Praise God for His mercy and love! God will lead us through this pandemic.
God bless His Real Presence in us!
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