During the 1576 plague that menaced the northern Italian city of Milan and eventually took 25,000 lives, the civil government fled the city out of fear. The archbishop of Milan, St. Charles Borromeo, took over, assured the people he would not abandon them and, together with priests from the parishes and religious orders, began to care for their material and spiritual needs.
Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus.” ―Matthew 1:20–21a
In the course of just a few days, major events, gatherings, and meetings have suspended or canceled their dates. It’s everywhere as the potential of COVID19 is snapping the world to attention.
No one really knows how bad it will be with estimates ranging from tens of thousands to millions impacted. Fear reigns.
And now we are seeing the fear hit churches across the world.
With the current pandemic of the COVID-19 throughout the world, we have an opportunity to unite as a human family, serve those in need, and ask some broad spiritual questions.
Such questions include: Why do such viruses occur? Why does God allow such harmful things?
The speed with which coronavirus protocols had to be implemented late last week led to an understandable — and unavoidable — confusion. That confusion even hit the highest levels of the Church in Rome, with two senior cardinals in a very public conflict. And Pope Francis himself got involved.
But now with a few days to reflect, some principles and practices are emerging.
Prayer Is Not Canceled but Continues
While public gathering for worship and prayer may be canceled, worship and prayer are not canceled. To the contrary, they should be intensified.
It’s only been three months since the origin of the coronavirus pandemic in Wuhan, China, and it’s only been a few weeks since what was originally perceived as largely a Chinese problem became a global phenomenon.
Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media in Jordan Fr. Dr. Rif'at Bader said on Saturday, March 14, that the Christians comply with the new measures the Jordanian government has undertaken to deal with Coronavirus, including halting prayers in all of the Kingdom's churches and mosques in accordance with the directives of the Fatwa Department and the Council of Churches.
The 7th anniversary of Pope Francis’ pontificate comes in the midst of the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis.
All of Italy is in lockdown. The streets of Rome are empty. The Pope is saying private Masses and giving virtual, disembodied blessings via big screen in St. Peter's Square.
The cup is gone from most churches. Communion in the hand is for some a cause of great fear. Elbow bumps replace handshakes. Smiles acknowledge, at a distance, that they will have to suffice for embraces.
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As a believer who grew up in the Protestant Church, I would venture to say that I lived in the equivalent of the Church Calendar’s Ordinary Time for most of the year.
