The past two years have been difficult and trying for all of us. Who has not suffered from this pandemic? There are some among us who have lost family members and friends to the disease. Some were afflicted by the virus and, by God’s grace, were healed. Many experienced economic difficulties, lost jobs, worked shorter hours, downsized or closed their business, incurred unplanned medical bills. Many more experienced fear, loneliness and isolation from family, friends and community. 

In July last year, I was hospitalized with a life-threatening illness not related to Covid. The hospital followed strict Covid protocols, so throughout my eight days of confinement, I was not allowed any visit from my family and friends. I felt isolated. I was aware that my condition was serious. I was afraid that I could die alone. I missed my wife and children, whose presence and encouragement I sorely needed. Worse, I worried about the possibility of being infected with Covid while I was in the hospital.  

In the midst of my helplessness, I found solace and confidence in a simple prayer. I prayed the name of Jesus repeatedly. In my condition, it was the only prayer I could remember. Jesus Christ, Son of God, help me! I later on learned that my wife and children were earnestly praying for my healing and recovery. While they could not physically visit me during my confinement, they were present to me in prayer. I thank our faithful God for coming to my rescue. 

In his book Let Us Dream, Pope Francis reflects on what the Covid crisis can teach us about facing upheaval of any kind in our lives and in the world at large.  "We are living a time of trial. The Bible talks of passing through fire to describe such trials, like a kiln testing the potter's handiwork (Sirach 27:5). The fact is that we are all tested in life. It's how we grow. In the trials of life, you reveal your own heart: how solid it is, how merciful, how big or small...You have to choose...Think of what happens in history. When people's hearts are tested they become aware of what has held them down. They also feel the presence of the Lord, who is faithful, and responds to the cry of His people. The encounter that follows allows a new future to open up." 

The new future that the Lord opened up to me as a result of my hospitalization is that of a deeper love for him expressed through prayer and a deeper love for my family and community expressed through togetherness.  

The first reading from Baruch seems to affirm this:  “Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever. Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God. God will bring them back to you!”   

Prayer: The Word of God calls us to free ourselves from the hovering darkness caused by the pandemic by putting on the splendor of God’s glory that is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness for we do not know how to pray as we ought (Romans 8:26). To put on the Holy Spirit is to invite him to pray with you, with your family and with our parish community, and to live in his love. 

Community: The Word of God promises to bring back his children who were prevented from joining the parish community worship in observance of health protocols or safety concerns. The community of the family and the parish is the Lord’s solution to loneliness, isolation and fear. God made us for community, and he made his community the Body of Christ. Every part of his body is vital. Let us therefore pray for our parish family members’ homecoming and welcome them back with joy. 

Thanking God for the love, faith and hope that our parish community has shown in good as well as in trying times, let us recognize this time of upheaval as a God-given opportunity for all of us to emerge stronger and more vibrant after the pandemic. Today’s Gospel reading calls us to: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight!” (Luke 4:3c). What is that call but another way of expressing our parish mission: “Open hearts to the fire of God’s love.” For the way of the Lord is love. 

We end with this prayer from Philippians 1:9-11, on the fruit of opened hearts to the fire of God’s love: 

“That your love may increase more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception.  

To discern what is of value  

So that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ  

Filled with the fruit of righteousness.” 

~Richard de la Fuente