Peace in a Pandemic

 Whenever this year began, no one knew how our lives would change so drastically. I remember being informed that school would be closed for a month due to the coronavirus. I didn’t quite understand. Is it really that bad? Perhaps it was just a precaution. Not long after, churches were closed. How can this be?  We had never seen anything like this happen. Oh, and you must stay home. For some, this was a good time to spend with family since there weren’t many obligations outside of home. For others, there was so much suffering. For many, it was a time to pray and remember what was most important. We’ll get through this, it shouldn’t be too long. It will be over soon, right? A few months later, and it continues to seem uncertain. What’s the point of the masks? Should we send our kids to school? Should we visit with friends not knowing what the result of that interaction could be? There are so many unanswered questions and I find that at this time there’s so many different opinions, what do we believe? 

A few weeks ago, in the midst of the turmoil, I felt like I just needed time to reflect. I have noticed that Jesus had been speaking to my heart and teaching me very important lessons through this experience. The first lesson was the need to focus and trust in Jesus. Since this pandemic, how often do I get so wrapped up in taking precautions or doing things the right way that I forget what’s most important. Precautions are so needed and should be taken with prudence. However, I questioned and wondered about the saints who lived through plagues. Were they ruled by fear or so focused on God’s work? Are we trying to consider creative ways to reach out and show charity to those around us? Oftentimes, I find the enemy uses distractions- seemingly necessary ones- to get us to take our eyes off the truth. Similarly, I have found myself losing sight of God’s goodness, His Love, His Fatherly care. The virus seems so big, but I must remember God is bigger and is still in control. Perhaps I, at times, try to control what will happen instead of placing my hope in God. It’s like in essence, I’m indirectly saying “If I can just do all of these things right, I will make it. I need to figure this out. I got it. I can do this.” Where is the trust? Even in the midst of this craziness, I cannot leave God out of the picture. I’m reminded of the birds that neither sow nor reap and are taken care of (Matt.6:26). They do nothing. God takes care of them and provides for their needs. We need a balance. I need a balance not to be reckless but not to be so anxious and fearful. 

The second is the realization that each day is a gift, and we must rely on the Lord. This pandemic is helping me to see what we took for granted before. How often have we made plans without thinking about it? Yet, now, we make plans not knowing what tomorrow holds. For when tomorrow comes, all can change. It teaches us to take it one day at a time-un dia a la vez. I also think of how self- sufficient we thought we were before. It was in an indirect manner, perhaps. Perhaps we enjoyed life while thinking we had everything under control. This pandemic has taught us that we are not and how do we respond? In anger, frustration, confusion? However, we were never in control. God was always in control so why do we fret now? Perhaps we trusted in ourselves and our knowledge, but now we do not know what is going on, which is what scares us most. I remember speaking with a friend and she said something that was quite simple, but profound. “It’s okay not to know everything.”  I just want to know, know, know. Perhaps because I believe in knowing, I have some control and don’t need to rely on anyone else. On the contrary, we are human beings, finite creatures. We are not expected to know all things. We do our best and give God the rest. How this trial has shown us our hearts! It makes me think ...where have we placed our trust and peace? God should be our rock and our foundation. If this is true, then we cannot be shaken. He remains on the throne, and we do not fear though the earth shakes or the mountains fall  (Psalm 46) for this is what it means to be a beloved son or daughter of the Father- to be confident of the Father’s love and to rely on Him both in the joys and sorrows.

The third realization is that our peace comes from Jesus. We will not find peace anywhere else but only in Him. I have experienced this peace often after I have spent time with Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. This pandemic has caused me a lot of anxiety for different reasons. The fear of becoming infected and spreading this disease to another. The difficulty of not being able to freely be with my friends or visit with them. The disruptions and inconveniences of daily life because of Covid. I’m grateful to Jesus for bringing that peace back to my heart after I pour out my troubles to Him. It is subtle. It is a gentle, calm. He has reminded me that those who are labor and are burdened, should go to Him. He is very patient and humble of heart. I remember being in Adoration and just sitting with Him and I realized something, I must rely on only Him for my peace. How often have I looked to others to bring me peace? Maybe I’ve spoken to a friend hoping that they would say the right words to ease my worried mind. Maybe I’ve looked through social media and tried to find peace in others’ opinions. Maybe I’ve Googled so many questions to find answers as a way to feel some form of peace. However, I realized these things are changing. Only when I have found peace in Jesus will I experience true peace. Jesus says to me and to you, “Do not fear. I am here. Even here. Even now. Even if you don’t understand how. I am here.”  We have to spend time with Him so we can encounter Him. Once we encounter Him, we will encounter that love, mercy, grace, joy, and peace. 

I have found some comfort knowing that we are all in this together. No one knows it all. We’re all doing the best we can. I remember sitting in the chapel and my sweet saint friend’s words came to me. St. Teresa of Calcutta has been quoted to have said, “I don’t know what God is doing. He knows. We do not understand, but one thing I’m sure, He doesn’t make a mistake.” We have to be still and know He is God (Psalm 46). What are we to do? On another occasion, as I was about to leave the chapel, I had this thought about how Christians need to be different. The Christian should be a secure and stable soul- a heart that is loving, peaceful, joyful, merciful, gentle especially in the midst of a changing world. Though the world changes, they should not. However, they should change the world by the beauty, goodness, and radiance of their virtues. Will we get it right all the time? Of course not, but we continue to strive to do what the Lord asks of us knowing that our true home, Heaven, awaits us after our earthly pilgrimage is over. Only there will we be able to encounter and experience the fullness of peace which is what we were made for.

Dear friends, may we each focus intensely on Jesus at this time, trust in Him, be grateful for the blessings, and find peace in Him. Amen.

Peace be with you all,

Megan