It’s a new phrase – – sea change. It describes a situation where, suddenly, everything looks different. Ever been out fishing on a warm summer day? The water is smooth like a mirror, but with a sudden breeze the whole lake changes to whitecaps. Sea change.
So the Corona virus is a sea change. Just a few weeks ago we were looking forward to March Madness, class reunions, dinners out, concerts, graduations, etc. Suddenly it all changes.
I suppose we each have our own way of responding to this profound altering of life. For some, there is a little panic I suppose . . . toilet paper is temporarily in short supply. (Why toilet paper? Someone explain this to me please.)
Others like myself are SLOWLY beginning to realize the vast difference in everyday life. “What do you mean there’s no priest dinner this Saturday?” On a more serious note, some are staring at the loss of their job. How will they pay the bills? Oh dear.
There’s a sea change in the gospels. Jesus is crossing a lake (Mark 4:35) with the apostles. Suddenly what had been a smooth passage was fraught with wind and waves. And where was Jesus? “in the back of the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow.” (!)
“Save us Lord!” they cried. (We get that, don’t we?) “Jesus wake up. Do you not care that we are about to drown?” Mark (4:38) The story ends with Jesus calming the wind and the waves but not before rebuking the apostles for their lack of faith in him. Did they not know they were safe so long as he is with them?
So what does Christian faith mean at a time like this? Is Jesus asleep in the boat? Is he even with us in this pandemic?
Some things our faith tells us:
- These things happen. There are cracks in nature that occasionally bring about viruses, cancers, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc. Why? Because nature itself is somehow disordered. It shares in the rebellion of Adam. “Through one man, sin entered the world. And through sin . . . death.” Romans 5:12. Okay? It’s a mystery.
- This is not the end. How do we know? The signs of Jesus’s return have not appeared: the conversion of Judaism to Christ, the sun and moon doing weird things, the Anti-Christ appearing.
- Don’t even trouble yourself with those “end” thoughts. Do your duty toward family and neighbor. God will take care of those big things.
- Where is Christ in these nervous times? He’s with the parent who struggles to pay the bills. He’s with the senior who is weak and vulnerable. He’s with young people who wonder if it’s worth trying your best when it all seems uphill. He’s there because YOU ARE THERE as his ambassador. You bring Christ’s light in the darkness. Hope to those who fear. You bring Christ to others – – – YOU bring him! (How are you doing?)
- Lastly . . . this too shall pass. When that day comes will we look back on how we have lived our lives with pride or embarrassment? Was there generosity, patience, good humor, kindness, OR did I spread fear, complaining, hoarding, selfishness?
So call your neighbor. Make sure they’re alright. Take some time (we seem to have quite a bit on our hands, don’t we) to pray . . . to read . . . to really talk with your loved ones. Above all, “Do not be afraid little ones. I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
– Fr. Tim
