“...crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” ~ Luke 17:13
MUCH has been written about the present crisis we are facing today... the Covid-19 crisis. Believe me, we all want this nightmare to end. We have no choice but to accept the reality and cope with its impact, and by all means, not contribute to its spread. As we face the details of this crisis, let us be mindful of an unpopular and unsolicited view that this predicament is creating in relation to our spiritual lives. Regardless of whether we believe in God or not, there is a general spiritual calling that this virus creates a venue for the exercise of faith. Though bombarded with the reality and horror of it through media and social media, let’s not forget the reality must not be neglected: the spiritual reality.
The virus, somehow, is a mysterious mandate from above that makes us all, at least willingly, realize our helplessness. Such helplessness leads us to a spiritual path so we can see who we are and where our help comes from. Like the lepers in the gospel of Luke 17:13, they could only cry out for help and say “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” The lepers’ crisis became a venue for “humility” that led them to swallow whatever pride they had in exchange for healing. Honestly, the leprosy is so superficial compared to the stinking infection of the soul! For a moment, it gave them a taste of brokenness and learn how to beg for help; even for a moment, it gave them a venue to connect with Jesus.
Prayerfully, let us avail of the same space that this current crisis is opening for us, humbly entering this venue of spiritual discernment and be in the presence of the only One who can help us...taking seriously all the health protocol needed, without forgetting the spiritual protocol. Let this be a venue of humbly crying to God; accepting our being powerless; realizing how connected we are to each other that when one gets the virus, others are infected. A timely lesson...my irresponsibility will cause the downfall of many. A venue to reflect upon “if the Lord wills and I am still alive I will...
The crisis was soon over for the lepers...the Lord healed them, all ten of them! That’s grace! Soon this crisis will come to pass too, and we quickly go back to where we started. The venue of spiritual discernment that this crisis makes obvious must be a continuing reflection of our selves like the Samaritan leper who came back to Jesus and gave thanks...but this time, not only for physical health but for the spiritual cleansing. This thankful leper lacked the theological terms and the religious twangs, yet his heart and simple faith was so clear to the Master that only these words were spoken to him “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”
From my heart I say...let’s keep the health protocol, wash hands always and be responsible. But don’t forget the spiritual protocol look inside, cry for help, call on Jesus, then come back and give thanks.