Just finished extra writing of comments elsewhere, trying to input what might be helpful to others, especially those wondering how to know if they are sick or imagining it, or still trying to push themselves to go out or be up and around. It has become an international comment section--one of them--and I limit my writing, thankfully; the space is quite limited allowing only so many characters per comment.
Some still tend to scoff at the COVID-19 pandemic, but these are becoming fewer. As in other comment sections, occasionally after an article, I notice a few others whose comments, also, strive to remind people (strangers all of us but all in the Body of God's Beloved Children) to PRAY. I have begun adding also to PRAISE GOD for His protection over all of us, and for His healing Presence now and forever.
Some were asking about symptoms, and I was able to mention for those who might not realize, that not everyone's normal or base body temperature is 98.6 F. Thus I've been praying for those taking temperatures in vital screening processes around the world to know that if someone says they usually run such as 96.6 F which is my norm, to take that in account.
It seems a small matter, but people who are sick could pass by without receiving a test or treatment. I was concerned about those temps taken at the White House, for example. My prayers are answered. A stranger commented that Dr. Fauci, lead doctor on the US Coronavirus Task Force, explained that yesterday, and those taking temps are being made aware.
As I was beginning to feel some better, myself, late afternoon, and got up again to get some yogurt and fruit to bring back to bed, not long ago I felt hot again. Yep, temp has gone up some. I'm praising God (in Spirit and truth!) for the patience He's taught me in these going-on 8 months post-op from spine surgery. I've had to be in bed so much that I'm blessed by the practical training!
And all the more I am praying for those who are not so blessed that they learn to lay low. (Ha ha--am looking for the silver lining in pain again). Most people would push themselves on the days they feel better or not have also back pain to help them be laid out with what might seem not-so-bad-of-symptoms, and thus not stay in bed. I wonder if the persons who keep pushing their bodies--besides those with terrible underlying conditions--are ones more likely to end up in the hospital in respiratory distress? I pray not, but it could be.
Even this evening, my lungs are hurting more--burning and aching--so the Lord is reminding this nothing Catholic hermit that my time to declare my freedom to rise and shine physically is not yet come. Still the dry cough, and when I cough the head has pains. So it goes. Praising God in Spirit and truth for being able to offer whatever is this plus the pain from spine, as prayer and praise for God's will in and through this global coronavirus pandemic.
We all have plenty to offer of trials, as prayer and praise! And to think we are just into third week of Lent!
Truly, we are all peoples, all nations, in this pandemic together. May we unite as brothers and sisters and have conversions to God and deeper and deeper conversions to God. Those whose time has come--I praise God for their release from suffering and for crossing over. Happy Birthday into Eternity! Pray for all souls to be desiring God and to choose His grace when they meet Him Face to Face for the loving and merciful judgment that we all must experience.
This pandemic is bringing us, if we wish to consider these points, to humility and sacrifice. While I have prayed about what is God's will for me--my role and purpose--in this COVID-19 global crisis, I have had some answers of which I've mentioned or alluded to, which include, of course, my experiencing the sickness or at least what are the symptoms and then some. (An eventual test will let me know for sure but that is a ways off.)
But I read a sermon by Syrian monk and Bishop, St. Jacob of Sarug, c. 449-521), and I appreciate the implications regarding our unity as people of God, and for me and all other religious hermits--to consider Christ's example and effectual call to us in His humility and sacrifice, to follow Him in humility and sacrifice. It is as if coronavirus pandemic is ideal for our listening, recognizing the holy value and Christ's example of humility and sacrifice, and to be willing to do as He did and does.
Some excerpts from St. Jacob of Sarug's sermon:
"...Jacob wept for Rachel when he wed her; our Lord covered the Church with his blood when he saved her. Tears are a symbol of blood since it is not without pain that they flow from one's eyes. The tears of righteous Jacob are a symbol of the Son's great suffering through which the Church of the Gentiles has been saved.
"Come, then, behold our Lord: he has come into the world from his Father's side, he has emptied himself so as to complete his course in humility (Phil 2:7)....
"He saw the Gentiles like a parched flock whose spring of life was closed by sin as by a stone. He saw the Church like Rachel and so he ran towards her and removed the heavy sin as though it were a rock. He has opened up the baptistery for his bride to bathe in; he has drawn water and refreshed the nations of earth as if they were his sheep. With his almighty power he has removed the heavy burden of sin; he has uncovered the spring of sweet water for the whole world....
"Yes, our Lord has gone to great trouble for the Church's sake. Out of love, God's Son has sold his suffering so that he might wed the forsaken Church at the price of his wounds. For her sake, who worshipped idols, he has suffered on the cross. For her sake he willed to be delivered up that she might belong to him, wholly and immaculate (Eph 5:25-27).
"He consented to lead the entire flock of humankind to pasture with the great staff of the cross; he did not turn away from suffering. He submitted to leading all--races, nations, tribes, multitudes and peoples--that in return the Church, his only one, might belong to him."
Yesterday the President of the United States called up all of us to pray; he declared today, Sunday, as a National Day of Prayer. May we all take whatever time left in this day, while it yet be today for whoever is yet awake, to pray for all people all over the world, as we are all affected by this health crisis. Pray for the souls of those who have passed over and for the grieving families and friends. Pray for those who are ill with whatever ailments, including coronavirus, and pray for protection for all those who are not afflicted.
Pray for all the medical personnel and the law enforcement and all those involved in trying to help test people and help those stricken, as well as their families. Pray that we all have great patience and willingness to stay in, to do whatever we are able for those around us who need food or help. Pray for all those leading all countries and on task forces trying to limit and eventually eradicate the virus.
Pray that we continue to pray and very much, also, praise God for all His goodness and that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And pray that we each learn and adopt, in Spirit and in truth, true humility and sacrifice in this time period of COVID-19 and in all times.
God bless His Real Presence in us!
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