In recent weeks, the inconveniences that we are experiencing as a result of the coronavirus are touching a nerve in our culture. There are people who don’t think the restrictions apply to them. They are the exception. This was most recently played out in Florida where young people ignored the ban and remained on the beaches during Spring Break. It has now been revealed that some of them have contracted the virus. Who knows how many other people they have infected? Our Holy Father, Pope Francis said recently: “Every man for himself is not a solution to pandemic.” When a common danger arises, it often destroys human ties and everyone begins to think only about themselves. We resent having any restrictions placed on us. It is all symptomatic of that inner rebellion – the rebellion that stems back to the very beginning of our race. We call it the Original Sin. All sin has pride at its roots. Just recently I read the story of Fr. Giuseppe Beradelli, a pastor of the parish in Casigno, near Bergamo in northern Italy, one of the worst hit regions in Italy. He contracted the coronavirus and died last week in Lovere hospital. According to the hospital staff, he refused to use a respirator his parishioners had bought for him. He chose to give it to a younger patient, instead, a respirator that his parishioners had purchased for him, to a younger patient, whom he did not know. Residents of Casnigo were reported to have applauded from their windows and balconies as the coffin was taken for burial. On Tuesday, Pope Francis led a prayer for the deceased doctors and priests, “thanking God for their heroic example in serving those who were sick.” I want to share some other encouraging stories of people and organizations out there who are making sacrifices and doing acts of charity to help their neighbor. There is a landlord in the State of Main, Nathan Nichols, who announced he won’t be collecting rent in April to ease his tenants’ financial worries. A store in England has set aside one hour every morning for elderly and other vulnerable individuals to buy the items they need. Two major car companies have pledged to cover up to six months of car payments for owners who lose their jobs in the wake of the outbreak. A number of school districts throughout the country are providing free breakfast and lunch to kids while its schools are closed. A convenience store in Edinburgh, Scotland, is giving out free “coronavirus packs” to people over 65. Chinese billionaire Jack Ma has announced that he will donate 500,000 test kits and one million masks to the U.S. to help with supply shortages. A college in the US is issuing refunds to students who live on campus, but it’s helping with moving costs! And we’ve all heard of the doctors and health care workers who are working overtime in our hospitals and emergency rooms under great pressure and experiencing a lack of resources in fighting this virus and keeping up services to all those suffering from other illnesses and diseases. I want to express my gratitude to all the doctors and health care workers, emergency workers, police, laborers, priests, clergy and lay workers and all of those people who are making sacrifices for the good of our society in crisis. I want to pray for all those whose businesses are shut down, all those affected financially by this crisis. We will remember them in a special way during Holy Week. Next week we begin Holy Week with Palm Sunday. These most holy days of the entire Liturgical Year are a reminder of the battle that happened between good and evil, between sin and love, the primordial battle that is still being waged in our world. I invite us all to reflect on how can unite ourselves with Christ in His Passion, Death and Resurrection this coming week. I know many of us are making sacrifices already, whether work, money, no school, extra duties and hours we never expected. But I am going to ask everyone to think of how we can sacrifice a little bit more – trying to focus on God’s love that brought Jesus to the cross. Let’s pray for one another and ask Our Lady to intercede and pray for all of us. Join me at 6:00 am., 12 noon, and 6 pm. when our church bells ring to pray the Angelus for all those in need. God bless, Fr. Dennis
RSS Feed