In Exodus, God leads His people (the Israelites) from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land.
God desires for His people to love and worship Him. It is God, Who dwells in the middle of Israel’s camp in the wilderness. It is Moses' belief that God’s presence among the people, is what sets Israel apart from other nations.
It’s been said so many times now, the words ‘new normal’ describing the present situation we are in, namely the Pandemic.
The number of people dying has been on the rise for quiet some time now. There is no guarantee to anyone’s life.
All the places of prayer have been closed, some may have opened most recently, but in adherence to, there are restrictions that have to be followed in view of the Pandemic. Wearing a mask is essential. And the use of a sanitizer is just an added precaution. Then there is the stipulation of keeping a distance of 1 meter, which in India, is a difficult one for people who work and have to commute.
There is a fear. And not everyone co-operates.
The meaning of normal=the usual, typical, or expected state or condition.
I ask with humility, so as not to offend you or get you agitated, but in all honesty, what of this Pandemic is normal? Is it normal that we see our fellow brethren die? Is it normal that many of our fellow brethren are getting laid off from their jobs and companies have crashed? Is it normal that so many of them with difficulty get their one time meal.
No. This is not normal. To think this way of the future, means we have lost Hope.
From the start of day, to the evening, things change. Believe that God can change things in a matter of seconds. It is not intelligence, nothing to do with logic, but look at it with your eyes of faith.
Being a Christian (Catholic) waking up on a Sunday morning, to go to Church, meeting and wishing the people I know, a Good Morning that is normal. I get to see our Priests-normal.
Wearing a mask and having to use a sanitizer and keep a distance, this is a new predicament. But there is nothing normal about it.
In the journey of the Israelites, God dwells in the middle of Israel's camp. In our journey through the Pandemic, Jesus comes to our Home and strengthens us with His presence and blesses our Home and keeps us safe.
Jesus is God, The Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, the Holy Son of God.
Christ died for our sins and Christ Rose from the dead.
Jesus commanded us to eat His body and to drink His blood so that we could live forever. When we drink His blood we take within ourselves divine life.
Jesus says in John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh."
John 6:53 So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you;
Jesus is the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world.
Exodus 12:7-Then they shall take some of the blood, and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat them. The Hebrew people were obedient to God, they offered the Lamb in sacrifice and ate it. And when the Angel of death passed over they didn’t die. They were able to escape Egypt and go to the Promised Land.
Jesus commands us to eat His body to drink His blood so that we can live forever. So that when we die, when the Angel of death comes, we won’t die the second death but we will enter into the Promised Land of Eternal Life in Heaven.
In this Pandemic, the Church' have been closed. Pope Francis gave us the extraordinary "Urbi et Orbi" ("to the city and to the world") blessing on March the 27th, 2020 at St. Peter's Square. Pope Francis invited all Christians to participate in this special prayer. In response to Covid-19 impacting the entire world, Pope Francis, granted all participants a Plenary Indulgence before imparting the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing. This Plenary indulgence includes a pardon for any sins committed, granted the person confesses their sins and receives Holy Communion when the Church opens and the confessions are made accessible.
We must care for the safety of all our Priests. Let us not be foolish or irresponsible-Let us remember this always. We need them to be safe. We need to keep them safe. They are our Lifeline.
I pray for all our Priests of all ranks and all orders at each celebration of the mass. I pray for our Popes-Pope Francis and Pope Benedict. And I pray for Cardinal Oswald Gracias. I pray for all our sick and aged Priests. And I pray for all our Priests.
I pray for their protection, from all evils, protection from all people with evil thoughts, protection from diseases, viruses and Corona virus. I pray for their protection, from all calamities, from all disasters, from all accidents and tragedies. I pray for Gods grace to keep them in His Holy Will at all times.
To stay in faith we can’t keep focusing on the Pandemic, namely COVID-19. Knowing the purpose and what it is here for, we need to ask the Spirit of God, for guidance. When we utter the words ‘new normal’, it is not like we want to speak the words, but maybe we have been hit hard. Let us not speak like it is here to stay and let us believe that the best things in life, are yet to come. Jesus did not personally tell anyone, that this virus has no cure? So, whatever that has you shaken, shake it up and rise to a new Hope.
For if we believe in the Lord, this must never be our way of life.
Jesus spoke with His apostles, He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:15-16 or
Mark 8:29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”
Jesus is the Son of God, the King of Mercy, the second most powerful person of the Blessed Trinity. Who is Jesus to you, me? Speak your belief. And RISE in the mighty name of Jesus.
To me, my Sweet Jesus, You are my Beloved and I am Yours!
If you look at it from a clear point of view, obstacles are steps to make us walk in the direction, to the plans which God has for us. God wants a personal relationship with His people. God had a plan of deliverance for the Israelites. God has a plan of deliverance for us too and He wants a stronger and personal bond with each one of us. Trust God with all your heart. And RISE to conquer in the name of Jesus.
It’s not unusual to be afraid, when something comes our way. Every time the fear arises, as many time as it arises in a day, each and every time, surrender it to Jesus and let Jesus take over.
Remember: Fear disables belief. Remember, God has the final say. Remember, God's blessings will chase us down.
“Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.” Pope John Paul II
Let us always remember: We are an Easter people! We will rise though whatever storm, may come our way. We will rise through this time too!
Remember, we serve a Supernatural God.
Remember-Remember: We will rise to conquer in the name of ‘Christ’! And conquer we will! Amen.
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