Reading: Is 65:17-21;
Ps 30:2, 4.5-6.11-13,
Gospel: John 4:43-54. Full Readings
A promise of New Heaven and earth, that's, a promise of a New Life.
Brethren we are all aware of the pandemic attack of Corona virus, the world is in Chaos, everyone is seeking the answer from God, and everyone has now turned to God, to remember God who is always forgotten by many in preference to the worldly pleasures. A few days ago, I posted that "if we had great respect and fear of God the way we have it for Corona Virus,all these wouldn't have happened, we would be living like angels in heaven" and I really saw the reaction of people. It really touched people and I hope you too are going to be touched, I am sure all this pandemic has been caused by our own disregard of God, his commandments and statutes. One may say it is human creation, and for sure if anyone fears God, he or she cannot do such a thing, to create a virus which kills a massive number of people while God says we preserve life with high dignity. Another one may say, it's not human creation, and this automatically asserts we are serving a punishment which we ourselves are the criminals due to our selfish gains which we use to rule this world and so become like God's.
On Friday, In my Reflection, I shared this paragraph which I would like to share back. It said:
The situation of Corona virus which has trembled the world has led people to read the Bible more, and certain verses have been pointed out, for instance: 2 Chronicles 7: 13-14, which says when God sends locusts and epidemic, he is angry, and do people have to pray, return away from sinfulness and then peace will reign again. The situation of self quarantine has also been interpreted in Isaiah 26:20, which says, go back home, lock your doors, hide yourself a little, until the anger of God passes. There are many other Bible passages we can relate to this situation. We cannot be sure if God is really angry with us or this virus is a human creation, but according to the first Reading, it our iniquities which cause our suffering, so who knows God has got angry with us because of what we have turned the world into, embracing secularism and forgetting him completely with all sorts of immorality. The world is no longer good as it was created, we have tried to make ourselves like God by trying to create our own world changing his design, who knows if he is very angry and decided to give us this pandemic.
Who knows therefore, if God is angry and we need to regret all our sins, do extraordinary repentance so that he will hear our cry, because the rate it's increasing is unimaginable. At first we made fun of Corona virus and we thought it's not real but the more cases in Africa and some deaths shows the seriousness of this pandemic.
However dear brethren, today's readings show a sign of hope among the world which has totally lost hope, light among the dark world today, and a way among the world which has lost its way.
The Lord in first Reading promises to make a new Heaven and a new Earth, that's a new Life. This new life consists of forgetting the past suffering especially which we are in now, restoration of Joy, long she of living and thus no more infant deaths and even such massive deaths by pandemic Corona virus, no more weeping but rejoicing in the Lord forever and peace will reign. Brethren this reading cones at a time when we really need that hope, the answer to our problems and the answer is only returning to God who will renew our lives to leave and Harmony and good health. Even those who trust in science, science also needs God to enlighten the minds of scientists to find the Everlasting solution to some of our problems especially sickness, for if the Lord does not build the house, in vain do the builders labour and if the Lord does not watch over in vain do the watchmen stay overnight. Dear brethren our only hope is in God who promises new life and fulfills it in Jesus Christ as we see in the Gospel.
The new life God promises includes the healing from all our spiritual wounds and all body illnesses which Jesus manifests in the Gospel. The healing of the son of the Court Official in the Gospel is the true indication of the bee life that God gives. Jesus healed the fever of his son and may we ask him to heal us too of all our illnesses and especially of this pandemic.
However my brethren, as we rejoice in this promise, we have to remember that it is only fulfilled by our response to it which is through Faith. Without faith in God, even situations will worsen. Let us Reflect today on how we have not been faithful to God, not putting his trust in Him as we place it on other things, where we have not received the messengers of Good News, for even Jesus says the prophets are not accepted in their own country. We also Reflect in which aspects we have demanded signs and wonders to happen so that we may believe in God, where we have not recognized small things happening in our lives as great miracles. Brethren what God needs is faith, to trust and believe that every answer we need is with God, and with faith he will grant to us what we ask of him, as the Court Official. Reflect today on your own level of faith and trust and transcend it.
That's why I believe and trust that as the whole world, when we raise our hands in prayer asking for forgiveness and answer to our problems, he will surely hear us and restore our peace. Let us seek him in all things , for he will never let us down.
Let us pray for all these Graces today guided by this prayer.
Lord, please increase my faith. Help me to see You acting in my life and to discover Your perfect love in all things. As I see You at work in my life, help me to know, with greater certainty, Your perfect love. In a special way, I pray for the restoration of the whole world to it's state of peace and Harmony both of mind and body. We repent for all we have done and ask you God to not give us utterly but through your mercy forgive us and look down on us as you answer our prayers. Jesus, we trust in You. Amen.
Blessed Lenten season of prayer fasting and alms Giving. Pray that the devil will not overrule us.
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