Seeking God in a Pandemic World

For three long months the faithful of all faiths have been prevented – and voluntarily acquiesced – from attending services at their houses of worship as the pandemic wrecked havoc all over.

That did not mean that religious pursuits came to a screeching halt. Fortunately, we live a world served by the internet. We often complain about the dark side of what it brings into homes but by the grace of God it became a lifeline. God really does work in mysterious ways. Perhaps He saw this day coming and wanted us to have a mechanism that would help us stay close to Him.

Facebook live streamed Mass for Catholics, Protestants of every denomination posted services on social media, synagogues Zoomed Sabbath services, Mosques observed call to prayers on monitors in the home. You see, where there is a will there is a way.

Perhaps our hearts are missing our congregation and being joined in the physical prayer community but our spirits were supported by the understanding that our home was welcoming all of our brothers and sisters.

The Holy Spirit is working in us whenever we fire up the TV, computer, tablet or phone to access services, hear homilies and scripture discussions. Our clergy has done yeoman’s work in creating the ability to broadcast to the faithful. From the humblest to the grand. Some are more technologically astute and post high-quality video and audio, others not so much are still including support, consolation and comfort on their websites.

The point is that the Father wraps His arms around us every day. We may not be able to visit His house so He comes to us.

Religious people the world over have always sought to live in faith no matter the circumstances. One thinks of the genocide of the Christians in the Middle East. Yet those being persecuted found ways to come together, many times in secret, to pray and worship. Many of them martyred because of their refusal to deny their God.

The pandemic has been a clarion call to the faithful everywhere, it is up to us to persevere in the face of enmity.

We yearn for the day that we can return to God’s house and kneel in prayers of thanksgiving and joy to be before Him. We ache for the ability to place our lost family and friends at His altar. Christians worldwide wait for the day to receive His Holy Body and Blood in Holy Communion. Praise God, soon.

The day will come that we will feel that familiar completeness in being joined with our God in His house with all our brothers and sisters giving praise. Amen.