COVID-19 Bible Study Reflection #1: God's Presence

I wrote this reflection today for the regular participants of my Bible Study sessions conducted weekly at St. Vincent de Paul Parish. Because the pandemic has caused us to cancel these sessions, as least for the time being, I thought perhaps I should send our participants some Scripture-related thoughts on a regular basis. The following is my first attempt. 
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There’s nothing like a pandemic to get people asking questions about God and why such things as this nasty virus happen. 

Did God cause this disease? Did He inflict COVID-19 on the world? Or did He simply allow it to spread? Why? Is there some divine purpose behind all this, or is it the work of Satan? Is it a sign that the end times are upon us? 

In recent weeks I’ve been asked every one of these questions, and a few dozen more. I think, perhaps, the best way to address these concerns is to turn to Sacred Scripture. After all, the Bible actually has a lot to say about plagues and sickness and healing and end times.

First of all, let’s address the last: pandemics as signs of the end times. The most important thing to remember when it comes to the end times is that no one knows when Jesus will return. I’m always amazed by the number of people who are convinced they know when God will bring His creation to its fulfillment. How many books have been written, how many movies made, how many sermons preached, all telling us that Jesus’s return is imminent? Some even give us specific dates. Not only are they always wrong, but they also contradict the Word of God. We can safely dismiss them all.

And yet, at the same time, we are told that pandemics should not be ignored. As Jesus revealed to His disciples when addressing the end times:

“There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky” [Lk 21:11]

Yes, indeed, among other signs, we can expect plagues as we approach the end. But notice that Jesus immediately adds something else:

“Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony [Lk 21:12-13].

I suppose one could make a good case that the persecution of Christians is at an all-time high, but God’s People – both the Israelites and the Church – have suffered persecution for thousands of years. The persecution of God’s people is nothing new. In the West today, the persecution of Christians and Jews is perhaps a bit more subtle than that which they experience in other parts of the world. Anti-Christian political correctness, because it manifests itself largely through social and psychological intimidation, can seem almost benign. But far too many Christians react by turning inward, as if their faith is strictly personal. Of course, it isn’t: “It will lead to your giving testimony.” We cannot hide our faith under a bushel basket, folks [Mt 5:14-16]. We are called to evangelize. 

Plagues, too, have been with us since the beginning. We get our first taste of this very early in Genesis, when God describes the effects of the sin of our first parents. Unlike the bodily immortality with which God originally blessed them, they would now suffer hardship, pain, and death [Gen 3:16-19]. In other words, disease is one of the results of our fallen nature. 

We encounter plagues throughout the Old Testament, with perhaps the most famous being the “plagues” suffered by the people of Egypt as described in the Book of Exodus. Of course, a number of the Egyptian plagues were not diseases at all, but extreme manifestations of otherwise natural events. But we can lump some of the others – livestock epidemic, boils, and the death of the firstborn – into the category of disease or other physical ailment. 

In Exodus we are told why God inflicted Egypt with this series of calamities when He instructs Moses to tell Pharaoh:

“Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews: Let my people go to serve me, for this time I will unleash all my blows upon you and your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is none like me anywhere on earth. For by now I should have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with such pestilence that you would have vanished from the earth. But this is why I have let you survive: to show you my power and to make my name resound throughout the earth! Will you continue to exalt yourself over my people and not let them go?” [Ex 9:13-17]

Although God allowed these plagues, His purpose was not to destroy the Egyptians but “to show you my power…” so the entire world would come to recognize His sovereignty. Remember, too, that God displayed that sovereignty by sparing His people from the effects of these plagues:

“But for you the blood will mark the houses where you are. Seeing the blood, I will pass over you; thereby, when I strike the land of Egypt, no destructive blow will come upon you” [Ex 12:13]. 

Today as our society struggles to deal with the current crisis, perhaps we will come to realize that this virus, this tiny piece of God’s creation, is also a manifestation of God’s power. Unlike the Egyptians we might actually understand and accept the message God sends us. Because He has blessed us with intelligence, we have the capability to overcome this disease. But our application of His gift of intelligence and the knowledge that results are always imperfect. In the meantime, then, many will die. 

This, of course, leads to our next question: Why have we been inflicted with this virus? Is God sending us a message, as He did the Egyptians? Is He punishing us for our sins, for our lack of faith? Or is this pandemic simply another consequence of our fallen nature?

I suppose the best answer to these questions is “Maybe” or a qualified “Yes.” The truth is, you and I do not know the mind of God, but we can get at least a glimpse if we turn to His Word. Let’s turn to the New Testament and find those wonderful signs of hope that God offers us.

It’s important to realize that no plague, no illness, no affliction can withstand the Word of Jesus Christ, the Word of God incarnate. Matthew put it beautifully:

“Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness” [Mt 9:35].

He did it all, didn’t He? “Every disease and illness” covers the waterfront. But notice that these cures, all that healing, did not take place in isolation. Jesus also taught and proclaimed the kingdom. In other words, the cures offered proof that the Word the people heard was indeed the Word of God. In his Gospel, John calls these miraculous manifestations of God’s power “signs.” And signs they are, because they point to something greater than themselves. They point to the divinity of Jesus, the Son of God. They point to the salvation and hope Jesus offers us through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. They point to His Church and the grace manifested by the Holy Spirit through its sacramental life. And they point to Jesus’ continued Eucharistic presence, a presence that will remain with us “until the end of the age” [Mt 28:20].

The question for us: How should we respond? Most importantly, we should not fear. Faith and fear cannot coexist in the human heart. Indeed, fear is the great enemy of faith and leads us to despair. Buoyed by the gift of faith, we come to accept that God is always in charge, that He has sovereignty over all things. You and I, the medical profession, the scientific community, and yes, even the government, are all called to respond in faith. And because God gave us intelligence, we must also be prudent and use our intelligence wisely. By ignoring the obvious, by refraining from doing what is necessary to stop the spread of this virus, we would, in a sense, be putting God to the test [Mt 4:6-7], something we should never do.

And finally, realize that a living faith, a faith that demonstrates our love for God and for each other, always leads to the good. How did Paul famously proclaim this truth?

“We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” [Rom 8:28].

We don’t fully understand God’s purpose, but we do know that when we love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, only good will result. Let us not forget this during these challenging times.

Too many people, including too many Christians, fall prey to panic and pessimism, which leads only to fear. Instead, we must always remember what awaits. Jesus came to redeem us from our own sinfulness; he will come again to lead us to eternal life:

“Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him” [Heb 9:28]. 

Once again, remember those words of Jesus: “It will lead to your giving testimony” [Lk 21:13]. Accept this pandemic as an opportunity to respond to Jesus’ call to evangelize, to ease the fears of others, to share God’s sacred Word, and to be carriers, not of a virus, but of God’s love.

Homily: Monday, 6th Week in Ordianry Time

Readings: Gn 4:1-15, 25 • Ps 50 • Mk 8:11-13
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Some years ago, in another parish, I was teaching a course on Church History when a man began to attack the Church for its teaching on the Eucharist. It seems he left the Church years before and became affiliated with a fundamentalist sect that considered the Eucharist a form of idol worship.

I took a deep breath, said a silent prayer, and surprisingly, I actually kept my cool. I then turned to Sacred Scripture and read what it revealed about the Eucharist. But this simply infuriated him. He didn't even try to counter my Scriptural arguments, but instead began to attack me personally.

Finally, I suggested that since we were in total disagreement, it might be best if we moved on. But his attacks continued, so I just told the class to take a break. When we reconvened he was gone. Reading today's Gospel passage from Mark, I found myself recalling that encounter from almost 30 years ago.

I often call Mark the Sergeant Joe Friday of the Gospels: "Just the facts, Ma'am." (You must be over 60 to recognize that allusion.) Yes, Mark lays it out there in simple, straightforward language, just as he does here: 

"The Pharisees came, and began to argue with Him..." [Mk 8:11]

You see, the Pharisees can't stand the fact that Jesus attracts so many - actually that the people follow Jesus and not them. They are so obsessed with Jesus, that they can't help themselves. They argue with Him, attack Him, and even try to test Him.

They ask Him for a sign from heaven, but of course, that's the last thing they either want or expect. If they actually thought He might be the Messiah, or even a prophet, they'd never dare to test Him, for to do so would be to test God Himself. In truth, the greatest sign from heaven is standing right before them, but they are too blind, too proud, to recognize it.

The Pharisees Argue with Jesus, and Demand a Sign

They consider Jesus a nobody, perhaps a clever nobody, but a nobody nevertheless. What they really want is to make Jesus do their bidding, and so they demand He do what they ask.

How often do we do the same? How often do we try to force our will on the Lord, and by doing so show we grasp nothing of God's will? Yes, indeed, instead of "Thy will be done," our prayer becomes my will be done. Because I'm so self-absorbed, I know only my will, and I know exactly what I want from God.

Ironic, isn't it? In my need, I finally come to the point where I accept my weakness, that I can do nothing. But instead of humbly opening myself to the Lord's will, I test Him, demanding He do what I can't do, and to do it in obedience to my will.

Brothers and sisters, in faith we cannot test the Lord, and certainly not in humility. To test the Lord is to imitate the Pharisees, to raise ourselves above Him. Instead we must be ever willing to receive the Lord's will in our lives, and to receive it gratefully even when it seems so contrary to our own will.

Mark often reveals the most human side of Jesus, and today's passage offers a perfect example.

"He sighed deeply in His Spirit" [Mk 8:12].

...a most human sigh from deep within Jesus. 

How the Pharisees must have tired Him, exasperated Him in their foolish pride, their hypocrisy, their spiritual blindness. Standing in their midst, He must be thinking, "These men are the teachers of Israel? I'm surprised any faith remains in the land."

He knew there would be no conversion that day, no belief, and that argument was futile. As Cardinal Newman once wrote: 

"It is as absurd to argue men, as to torture them, into believing."

And so Jesus refuses the Pharisees' demands:

"...no sign will be given to this generation" [Mk 8:12].

Now, Jesus gave many signs. Indeed, John in his Gospel, describes Jesus' miracles as signs, as works of God that point to even greater revelations. But Jesus' signs are always in response to faith or for a deepening of faith, but never for a purpose that wants to show itself stronger than the Lord's will.

When Jesus expresses and reveals the will of the Father, there is only a Yes or a No. And in this instance the Pharisees are refused.

"And He left them..." [Mk 8:13].

There will be no sign, no miracle. The Pharisees are left to stand alone and silent, unable to refute Jesus, the Word of God, or to disprove the miraculous.

Jesus leaves them not to make Himself seem important as the Pharisees want to be important. 

He left them and Joined the Disciples

No, He just leaves and joins His disciples in the boat. He does this to increase the disciples' faith and to glorify the Father; to teach them that there are things that demand an absolute No. They also learn that sometimes it is best to walk away and let the Spirit do His work. 

Let us remember that as well. Our prayer should never be a test of the Lord. Instead, today let's ask our loving Father to show us His will and keep us always in His love. We need no more.

Homily: Saturday, 18th Week of Ordinary Time

Readings: Dt 6:4-13 • Ps 18 • Mt 17:14-20
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St. John, throughout his Gospel never refers to miracles. Instead he calls these acts of Jesus "signs." As we read the Gospels of the other three evangelists, it would be good for us to recall this.

After all, a sign is really a message, isn't it? But it's a message that points to something greater than itself. This is exactly what we encounter in today's passage from Matthew: not just a healing, but a sign that points to something else, something greater. And that greater thing is discipleship, a discipleship grounded in faith.

I find it remarkable that those who come to Jesus for healing inevitably have much greater faith than His disciples. It's particularly apparent in this passage.

A man comes to Jesus, kneels before Him, and utters that most fundamental of Christian prayers, "Lord, have mercy..." (Kyrie, eleison...) [Mt 17:15] That prayer is an open declaration, an act of faith, that sees God's presence in the very person of Jesus.

But even more telling is that the man comes to Jesus not for himself but for another, for his son. He says his son is a lunatic, which at the time meant "moon-struck" or a reaction to the phases of the moon. This was the medical diagnosis of the time. Today we'd simply say, "epilepsy" - a condition involving convulsions that can endanger the sufferer.

But as Jesus heals we encounter a surprising revelation, don't we? The medical diagnosis is apparently wrong, because Jesus treats it as a case of demonic possession. It takes Him to identify the true spiritual illness afflicting the man's son and to point out the presence of the Evil One.

But regardless of his son's condition the man appeals to Jesus with deep faith. And through faith he knows he and his son are taking refuge in the very heart of God. Such is the power of the prayer: "Lord, have mercy."

The father goes on to mention the dangers of falling into fire and water, which call to mind that beautiful prophecy from beginning of chapter 43 of Isaiah:

When you pass through waters, I will be with you; through rivers, you shall not be swept away. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, nor will flames consume you [Is 43:2].

Jesus brings this prophecy to life. He is with us in all things and suffers alongside us.

Just moments before Jesus had told the disciples, "the Son of Man must suffer..." [Mt 17:12], a prophecy He repeats immediately after this healing [Mt 17:22].

Yes, the Son of Man, the Redeemer, must suffer. He is the Redeemer because He takes on the sufferings of others, of all others, even before they experience them. He comes to us as one of us - Son of God and Son of Mary. And He carries within Himself the Father's love, the love that created each one of us. Jesus Christ, the Son, lives in our pain. He lives in our anguish. He lives in our suffering. And He brings us healing. He also lives in our sinfulness and brings us forgiveness. For what is forgiveness, but healing?

Notice, though, this man who came to Jesus wasn't sent or taken there by the disciples. No, he came on his own, driven by a faith stronger than that of the disciples. The disciples stand off, at a distance, scratching their heads, wondering, why couldn't we heal him? Perhaps the answer lies in the question itself...for we don't do the healing.

Jesus makes ir clear, doesn't He? The disciples could not heal the man's son because of "their little faith" [Mt 17:20], They're still caught up in their earthly lives. They're still focused on themselves and not of the sufferings of others.

We see this when, not long before this incident, Peter can confess, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God" [Mt 16:16], and moments later be rebuked by Jesus:

"Get behind me, Satan!...You are thinking not as God does, but as men do" [Mt 16:23].

How can they expect to bring God's healing to others when they've yet to accept His healing presence in their own lives?

Brothers and sisters, as Jesus' disciples we can carry God's life to others only if we ourselves posses it.

Only when we accept, in humility, that gift of faith, that tiny mustard seed, can it grow and be fruitful.

Only then can it bring God's life into our lives and the lives of those we are called to love.

Homily: Monday, 16th Week of Ordinary Time (Year II)

Readings: Mic 6:1-4, 6-8 • Ps 50 • Mt 12:38-42

“…an evil and unfaithful generation” [Mt 12:39]. Jesus came on pretty strong here, didn’t he? Actually, only moments earlier he’d called the Pharisees a “brood of vipers” [Mt 12:34], so I suppose this wasn’t so bad.

Poor Pharisees. They seemed to be in conflict, didn’t they? They saw all the wondrous things Jesus did, and were attracted to Him. But, at the same time, they just couldn’t accept that this humble teacher was anything special. It really bothered them that in essence He’d declared Himself greater than the Temple and the Sabbath, greater than Abraham and Moses, and now, greater than Jonah and Solomon.

And so they asked for a sign. To which Jesus seemed to reply: 

Stop looking at your scrolls and laws; just look at Me, the One standing before you. Everything God has already told you points only to Me. 

And it’s this self-revelation by Jesus that bothered them no end. Indeed, just a few verses later, Jesus said to them:

“But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it” [Mt 13:16-17].

And yet, they still asked for a sign. They heard His words and witnessed His deeds, but it was all encased in His humility. And this they couldn’t understand. How can the Messiah, the Lord of History, God’s anointed One, be a servant?

Imagine Jesus’ frustration. These Pharisees, these teachers of the Law, still didn’t realize that Jesus Himself was the sign for which they searched. They demanded to see what was standing right before them.

Jesus must have been thinking back to those words of Micah from our first reading:

“You have been told…what is good, and what the LORD requires of you: only to do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God” [Mic 6:8].

Here they were, able to walk with their God, the God they wouldn’t recognize because they rejected the humility. They simply wouldn’t listen. Yes, indeed, an “evil and unfaithful” generation. They ignored Jesus Himself, preferring to hear words and words and more words, instead of embracing the Word of God standing in their midst.

"the LORD commanded the fish to vomit Jonah upon dry land"

You reject Me, and yet you demand a sign from me?

Oh, yes, you will certainly receive a sign, the Sign of Jonah – Jonah whose preaching about an unseen God led the king of Nineveh to cover himself in sackcloth and sit in ashes. But before his prophetic preaching, before his mission to Nineveh, Jonah spent three days buried away from the world in repentance for his sins. How did Jesus put it?

“Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights” [Mt 12:40].

He was made sin...

Jesus was buried not for His sins, but for our sins. As St. Paul reminded the Corinthians:

“For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him” [2 Cor 5:21].

Jonah saved the Ninevites by admitting his own sin and repenting. He allowed himself to be thrown into the sea, but not into death, for God saved him.

Jesus, who is sinless, saves the world by taking on the sins of the entire human race. He becomes sin, every sin from the very beginning of time, and weighed down by it all, He throws Himself into death, into real death.

You see, brothers and sisters, it’s all for the Pharisees, it’s all for the sinners, it’s all for us.

Tell this to everyone you know. Shout it in the streets, in the marketplace, tell your children and grandchildren, tell each other. 

God won’t abandon us because of our sinfulness; He won’t abandon us because we turn our backs on Him who loves us.

This is the “Sign of Jonah.” It’s the Sign of the Cross.

It’s this sign that lets Him break through our resistance to His Love.

After He was raised up on the Cross, Jesus Christ lowered Himself – that was His mission. In total humility He descends, lowering Himself into the lowest, darkest places of creation, just as Jonah was lowered into darkness.

But Jesus goes further; He goes into the darkest depths of the human heart, and it’s there He brings the Light of Christ.