Fr. Don's Daily Reflection
Psalm 62: “In you alone is my soul at rest. My help comes from you.”
Since St. Paul wrote several letters while imprisoned I thought he might have something to say to us
confined to various degrees by the awful reign of Covid–19. For instance, Tom writes: “Like you, I am wearing thin on Covid–19. I am ready for my life to get back to normal. I miss interaction with a variety of people.” Ann
puts it rather mildly: “The reality of our continuing confinement adds to my occasional doldrums.” Some of the more desperate among us might use the words of St. Paul as we approach three months of this: “We were burdened (confined?) excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life itself.” (2
Corinthians 1:8) Or the words of Psalm 76: “In the day of my distress I sought the Lord . . . (Any day since mid-March.) I thought of the days of long ago (most days before mid-March 2020) and remembered the years
long past.” (At least 1926 to early 2020).
Confinement and social distancing causes other serious problems in a place like Haiti: “A religious sister working there writes: ‘I feel very sad about all the decisions being made which make the life of the poor impossible here. E.g., Orders to break up street markets which Haitians depend on for day-to-day
food. Confinement is ok for the rich. . . People in Haiti are not worried about social distancing, but rather bullets and hunger.’” A far cry from Sweden where there have been very few enforced restrictions (movie theaters which had been closed have been reopened). Critics say the Swedish approach has been paid for
with many deaths in homes for the elderly.
An elderly American writes: “Covid-19 compounded with civil unrest (riots) is a far cry from the optimism my classmates and I felt when we graduated in l962.” From Jilin City in northeastern China graduate student Clark writes: “The situation is much better now in Jilin City (no new cases in the last month), but at our school the measures to keep us safe are very strict. The corona situation is taking a toll on me. I long for the
days when I could go out and hike, be with friends, eat at restaurant, and go to Church. I am looking forward to some more freedom. God willing it will come sooner.” Amen to that from north central USA!
Saint Paul offers some lofty advice which might strike a chord in some of us: “The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:5 –7)
Or: “Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God.” (2 Cor 1::3-4)
Psalm 27: “I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness / in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong; / be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord!”
