It seems that in these days, life keeps changing: one day after another there are more and more things that are impacting our lives in increasing degrees. Yesterday, the Premier of Ontario announced that as of tonight, all non-essential businesses will have to close their doors and all employees will have to work from home. These increasingly severe measures are for our good, but it seems as though they are restricting our movements more and more.
It might be hard to comprehend the fact that these increasing protective measures are all aimed at increasing our collective chance at overcoming the threat that is being imposed by the scourge of this new virus, but this is exactly the point. In the midst of forced isolation, how are we supposed to find life?
The liturgical season of Lent provides us with a privileged moment during which we can come apart from the daily grind that we call life, but we often say that it is difficult to discipline ourselves enough to truly appreciate the gift of this time. Perhaps this year, while we are being forced to live this time at a different pace, we can listen afresh to the good news that is being proclaimed.
In the prophecy of Ezekiel, we hear the story of water that gushes in the desert: Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live, and there shall be abundant fish, for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh. Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow; their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail (Ez 47:9, 12).
The Lord has not left us alone to face the trial that stands before us. This is a privileged time. Our God wants to walk this road with us. This trial will lead to a renewed abundance of life, but perhaps we can only picture it at the present moment, just like the man who had been ill, lying by the pool of Bethesda for so long (cf Jn 5:5). Had he dared to hope for so long that things would get better, or had he almost given up hope when Jesus came by?
The words that Jesus spoke to that man, he also speaks to us: Rise, take up your mat and walk (Jn 5:8). In these times of trial, Jesus calls us to rise above the temptation to regard these very strange times as some kind of punishment. Rather, we are being called to see these precautions as necessary steps to protect us and for our own good. Let us ask the Lord today to refresh us with the water of his love and to help us to rise so that we can walk in faith.
Have a great day.
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