Faith: Walking in the shadow of COVID19
In our race of life, by far this year has been the most challenging. As the pandemic took its toll globally, it also brought people of every race together. Its slow spread across the region gave learning opportunities to other regions to prepare and embrace its impact. We learnt from the mistakes of our neighboring countries and prepared for the worst. Amid this crisis as we now move towards the second week of advent, the week of faith, here is the good news in today’s reading “Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God.” Let us draw strength from this verse as we walk through the shadows of doubt and despair.
Suffering gives us a chance to reconnect with our humble spirit. Its an opportunity to recheck and overcome our mistakes. When COVID-19 hit parts of the globe the pandemic caused great panic amongst people. It led to selfish acts of hoarding basic necessities. Then with the conscientious acts of a few people we began taming our fears and we focused more towards prayer and penance. This led us to think about others and so acts of generosity came forth. Food redistribution and quelling acute shortage of basic amenities took place.
Also Read:
What Is The Advent Wreath? Symbols and Customs
Come Emmanuel, lead us from despair to hope
Although the end of this pandemic is nowhere in sight it makes us feel lost. And while feeling lost is a scary feeling it is also the best place to begin finding ourselves. After all, today’s story is about the people of Judea and the residents of Jerusalem who go out in the desert. Risking a journey into the wilderness. Where instead of danger they found baptism, reconciliation and hope.
Just like them walking through COVID-19 is our journey. A journey of faith towards Jesus our Savior. We pray keeping in mind “One mightier than I is coming…”.
Tradition holds lighting one candle every Sunday. Four candles symbolize four weeks of advent. Each week representing a thousand years, to sum to the 4000 years from Adam and Eve until the birth of the Savior.
Let us Pray:
This second Sunday of Advent we light another purple candle particularly symbolizing prayer, penance and preparatory sacrifices.
“O Lord, stir up our hearts that we may prepare for Thy only begotten Son, that through His coming we may be made worthy to serve Thee with pure minds. Who lives and reigns forever. Amen.”
