When this is finally all over, this pandemic situation I mean, I wonder who’s going to take credit for it ending? Whom are they going to post in the cover of Time magazine as Person of the Year, or who will be granted the Nobel Peace Prize for paving the critical path towards the redemption of all mankind from this dreaded coronavirus?
Will it be some politician? An infectious disease scientist? A pharmaceutical company? Or perhaps a cohort of the population called frontliners? No doubt all of these, and many more, will have contributed greatly to the eventual end to the scepter of this virus. Now, even if the virus suddenly becomes less virulent or if it will just simply vanish as quickly as it appeared … I bet you many scientists will flood the YouTube channels with perfectly studied articulations of how the virus disappeared.
But will anybody give credit to God the Almighty for lifting this plague? Will people see God’s sovereign hand at work to rescue all mankind? I’m really saddened by the great possibility that mankind will only be so relieved to return back to normal if and when this battle against the virus is over. And almost so certainly, I can see that credit will go where credit isn’t really due. Even now, I already feel sad for God because of this, though I don’t think God needs my pity. But I feel sadder even for all mankind. May God hear my lamentation.
In Luke’s gospel (11:7-19), we read about the ten lepers who approached Jesus for healing. Instead of healing them straight away, Jesus bid them to go show themselves to the priest. Consequently, they all got healed, but only one returned to thank Jesus for his healing. The other nine didn’t give Jesus any credit at all; they were just too happy to be healed.
The story of the one thankful plus the 9 happy lepers, and the story of a relieved world once saved from the coronavirus — there’s a lesson here for all of us: a lesson about God, and a lesson about ourselves. Those who would be thankful would be made whole. Just saying.
Thank you Kuya Eddie for sharing this thought provoking article you have written. I pray that this pandemic will allow us to realize that our existence (along with all created things) is contingent (as opposed to necessary). And that the meaning therefore of our existence can never come from us but beyond us…and that this realization will lead us to a deeper sense of God.
Indeed! “Our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Ps 121) May your ministry bear much fruit, Abyong.
These are great insights. I hope and pray that the whole world would know and recognize the ULTIMATE Healer, Provider, Lord and Savior who deserves ALL the Glory and Praise. (both during and after the pandemic)
Let’s tell the world of His love, my dear Denise.
The prosperity of life has falsely led us to believe that we are impervious or that someone will take care of things for us and somehow all will be well. Well, we will, because God loves us, but not because we are entitled by our pride and prosperity. This false entitlement is our tragedy gifted by the evil we choose. May this pandemic expose the truth of God’s love for us and our selfish frailties, then maybe we will indeed be cured. And then, may we be more than one that returns humbled with joy and gratitude for God’s love.
Thank you for sharing this reflection with me Kuya Eddie.
Indeed, Jun. May our faith make us whole, and not just healed.
Thank you for this Tito Eddie. It is indeed lamentable how the world has rudely shoved God aside in addressing this pandemic. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo famously claimed, “The number is down because WE brought it down. God did not do that.” The glorified self has once again reared its ugly head. And just like that we are brought back to the time of the tower of Babel. When will we ever learn? Do we need to stay longer in the desert? Do we need to be exiled to get the point? Lord, have mercy on your people.
Lamentations 3:22-23
God’s job is to heal; our job is to let Him be known. He will fulfill His work, whether we do or not. That’s why there’s no God like Him.
With this pandemic, he healed us. People became more conscientious, the earth healed, people learned to value family more and stop the excesses. And when he heals us from the pandemic, I hope they remember why it happened and the valuable lessons it brought. Not all will remember, but those who do should remind others. For he did this all for the love of us, that we may recover from a fate worse than if it did not happen. Thank you, Lord.
“Your faith has made you whole”, Christine.
Indeed, lamentation is the exact word to feel for a humanity who chooses to return to the world than to the Lord…
And yet our hope returns.
Hi Eddie. God gives and God takes away. This is an unusual illness because, unlike most other infections where people become more immune with age, children are less likely to become ill, and when they do, very few die.
God can take this away. Until then, we thank him every day that He keeps us safe. If and when the time comes that this plague is lifted, anyone who is given credit, as you say above, will know who took it away. The whole world will know.
I thank God for your vocation, Dennis!!
Thank you Tito Eddie for this. A great reminder to put our hope and trust in Him and to be grateful always. Indeed, God doesn’t need our thanksgiving… He loves us so much that even those thanksgiving are actually for our soul’s profit. 😊🙏
And that’s why He is to be praised, right, Janice?
Super Agree!
The Lord never promised to keep us out of hard/difficult places. But He promised to join us in our journey and assure victory.
This pandemic, allowed us to realize the REAL NORMAL….staying with the family, relying on the basics such as food, water, medicines and making other commercial goods irrelevant, now appreciative of the work of other people around us, more time to pray and attend virtual Mass….
TEACH US YOUR WAYS, LORD.
Yes, indeed, Manny. It’s another story of “beauty from ashes”. May God be glorified when He accompanies us in our suffering, as well as when He leads us out of our suffering.
As usual, this is a good insight into what lies ahead. But even now, I’m already thanking God for everything He revealed to me in this pandemic. He showered me with His love through brothers and sisters in community.
Thank you Tito Eddie.
Hi Tito Ed! Thanks for including me in your mailing list. Will also look up your other articles. Guess each one would be interesting, as you always have points of view worth further reflecting on.
Am even more deeply grateful for what a God we have…He does not need any credit at all. It is our loss if we fail or refuse to recognize to Whom it is really due. So we thank Him for the grace to acknowledge it is through His strength and our hope in Him that we are sustained each new day.
This year is a milestone for me in a more personal way…I turned to the Lord to ask Him how I could celebrate. Was led to the first miracle in Cana so am praying again for Jesus to turn my (our) water into wine, as He has done so many times in the past. Looking forward! AMDG +
God is amazingly generous, isn’t He, Judith? He gives more than we need, more than we deserve. And that is so true not only in what I anticipate to be the case when He finally rids the world of this dreadful virus, but also as in the case of the miracle in Cana that you cite. I think the miracle in Cana is not just about turning the ordinary into something extraordinary. It’s also about replenishing what we thought we didn’t have any more, with something of even greater worth than before. May that be true for you.
I thank GOD for all the blessings!
I hope and pray that people go back to GOD and realize that HE is the source of all goodness and the Almighy ONE!
I think it’s human to instinctively focus on the gift rather than the giver of the gift. I perfectly agree with you that when this is over someone will likely take the credit for it and most likely the “world” will not thank God for it. But I guess, that’s my jaded side. Who knows this pandemic will truly accomplish true conversion in the hearts of millions. That’s been my prayer. Prayer makes things possible.