The Apostles and women – including Mary – gathered and prayed in the Upper Room for nine days from Ascension to Pentecost. That’s not unlike the time we’re in right now, as we prepare to move from the “new normal” of COVID19 lockdowns, shutdowns, and fear into the “newer normal” of going out into the world!
This is much like the time of the Apostles in the Upper Room from Ascension to Pentecost. It’s an inbetween time as we transition from COVID19 lockdowns, shutdowns, and stay home orders into a time of venturing out into the world to resume life after. Jesus promised us that all things work for good for those who love him. This pandemic, too, will work for good.
A person who is dying doesn’t waste words on frivolous things. They don’t have the time and often not the strength, either. There are many things Jacinta could have said at that moment, but she chose what was most critical for others to know. The apparitions had made Jacinta wise beyond her years and she understood that her parting words to Lucia must bear fruit long after her death.
As we move toward the reopening of the country, we need to be taking a long, hard look at ourselves and how COVID-19 has changed us.
For most of my life, I’ve understood St. Joseph only in relation to Mary and Jesus. He’s Mary’s husband, our Lord’s foster father. I honored him but didn’t directly relate to him. I didn’t necessarily look to him as a model for my own behavior. That’s changing.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, priests are being called into great heroic action by offering the sacraments to the sick and dying, finding creative ways to serve parishioners, and maintaining empty parishes with limited staff support. In response, Houston-based Vocation Ministry is set to launch the first-ever nationwide “Uplift Your Priest” campaign from April 20 through May 1.
Jesus rose from the dead. He conquered death and sin and in fact, he has conquered the world. The battle already has been won. No COVID-19 pandemic, no canceling of church services and sacraments, can put our Lord back into the grave and keep him there.