By Vimal Kumar csc
Readings: Acts 18: 1-8; Jn 16: 16-20
The readings of the day emphasize reassurance and hope. Trials, sufferings and sorrows are inevitable feelings that everyone goes through; it is easier to endure those adverse situations if there is a sign of hope. In the first reading, St. Paul faces hardships while preaching to the Jews in the synagogues. He accepts the challenges and continues to preach the Good news with the daring hope. Besides, he instilled the same hope in the believers.
We are in adverse situation of COVID–19 where all of us are in desperation and gloom. The doctors, nurses, caretakers and medical professionals are exploring the possibilities to find the cure while least bothering about their health and forgoing their comforts. It is our duty to reassure and instill hope in them by appreciating their sacrifices and praying for their safety.
In the Gospel, Jesus reassures the disciples that their sorrow will turn into Joy. When the tragedy like COVID 19 hits we feel that God has abandoned us. Because we all tend to hang our weights on tiniest things which means we believe our happiness on temporally things like health, wealth, profession, and a home that can be easily taken from us. During the outbreak of COVID 19 disease, we may have a lot of grievances and anger towards God for his ‘refusal’ to help us and the Government authority for their inadequate support for us.
However, it’s in the darkest moment we need to seek the light. It’s time that we turn to God with hope that our sorrows may turn to Joy. Instead of expressing our desperations, let’s express our support and encouragement in solidarity with the nation to fight against the COVID 19. Let our prayer be a sign of hope to those who are tremendously involved in finding remedies for the disease.