Of COVID-19: "Who sinned?"

Lectionary Readings for The Fourth Sunday in Lent - March 22  

1 Samuel 16:1-13  Ephesians 5:8-14  John 9:1-41  Psalm 23

As Jesus walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

My reflection:

There are still many including some prominent tele/megachurch evangelists  in our contemporary society who still subscribes to the theory of a direct causal relationship between wellness and sin. You may have even heard similar versions from some who are attributing COVID-19 to being a "spiritual attack on humanity" or "signs of the end-times" or even a generational attack based on Exodus 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me" - King James Version - or that humanity is being punished by God for the sins of one nation which has finally caught up with us. I do not know where you stand in all of these but I ask you consider sharing your thoughts with me by leaving a Comment. 

FOR YOUR FURTHER MEDITATION

1. Do you see a direct causal relationship between wellness, sin and COVID-19? What is the basis of that relationship? 

2. How does that (basis) shape your understanding of individual and corporate social justice responsibilities? Or of the incarnate God's concern for humanity or even the Psalmist's thoughts in the portion of Psalm 23 below: 

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I shall fear no evil; * for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; * you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over. Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, * and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

3. If the John text above is considered at "face-value" what works of God might (possibly) be revealed to humanity through the COVID-19 pandemic?

COVID-19: Where is Jesus?

Text: Mark 4:35-41

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!

For those who practice the discipline of praying the Daily Office appointed in the Book of Common Prayer (1979), you would recall the above text was the third reading for Morning Prayer today, March 13. At St. Mary in Palms, we still are praying Morning Prayer as part of daily Mass. We are still praying for all whose lives have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic including all who work tirelessly day and night to find lasting cures for the many diseases facing our generation. 

My short reflection:

As I read the above passage, I wondered how many people  - in light of the anxiety, confusion and uncertainty created by the presence of novel coronarirus (COVID-19) - are probably asking the questions: where is the Jesus "The disciples woke and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

Where is the Jesus who "got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm." Why can't that Jesus "just do his thing and remove" the coronavirus from our world and let life return to normalcy? Impact on free will??

Where is  the Jesus  who asked "his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Has our faith got anything to do with the ongoing work by researchers and policy makers and laboratories to find a lasting cure for the coronavirus? 

For your meditation:

How do you see Jesus and faith present in the current challenges and opportunities presented by COVID-19? 

Reflections on Lectionary readings for Third Sunday in Lent A

Lectionary readings for Sunday, March 15, 2020, Third Sunday in Lent Year A: 

• Exodus 17:1-7  Romans 5:1-11  John 4:5-42  Psalm 95

My short reflection:

The readings for this Sunday reminds one of two important facts of life:

First, drawing from a well. Many people - first century Israelites included - understand this metaphorical "drawing". For many Jews, wisdom can be drawn from the Torah. Hermits from antiquity drew wisdom from the solitude of the desert and their cells. Students draw knowledge from institutions of learning. Many draw and impart wisdom from life's experiences. Christians draw LIFE from the mission and life truly and honestly lived in Jesus Christ. 

For further meditation: from which source(s) are you drawing daily (constant) strength and faith-filled hope to live your life as a maturing (human) person and disciple of Jesus Christ?

Secondly, the Samaritan woman in a way becomes the first missionary for Jesus Christ for she goes into the village and invites her neighbors to “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” She invites her neighbors to explore a possible new relationship with this stranger called Jesus who could be the Messiah they'd be hoping and praying for. 

Missionaries come in different shapes and passions. Perhaps, as the first person in one's family to finish High School or College, acquire a professional degree, own her/his own house or even become a disciple of Christ. Whatever the role of missionary is, one is invited to spread the great news of a particular mission.

For further meditation: In what way are you a missionary? How does it feel to be a missionary?

I look forward to and welcome your comments which are highly appreciated.