The resilience of ordinary people & God is still with us

I enjoyed these videos of Italians, quarantined in their homes amidst the deadly coronavirus outbreak, singing to pass the time and lift their spirits. The author of the tweet phrased it well: the singing is a beautiful demonstration of the resilience of ordinary people.

Two weeks ago, no one had any idea what was coming, at least not here in the United States, and the worst is not yet past. What can I liken this to? It’s like a natural disaster but slower, and like wartime, but quicker. Food and medical supply shortage, quarantines, curfews, canceled events, economic uncertainty. Even if the virus ends up taking fewer lives than feared - God willing - it does not matter, because this has, irrevocably, become an historic global event.

And I wonder - what will change after this? Will more universities and work places permanently default to telework? Will the government continue waiving student loan interest? Will more people opt to homeschool their kids? How will the global supply chain change to ensure more things are made in America, and we are better prepared for future threats to our stability? These are not questions I would have imagined even a week ago.

Yesterday I quickly wrote an article about how to keep Lent in the midst of coronavirus, and it will be live on Catholic Stand tomorrow. I had to go back and make edits today, though, that’s how quickly things are changing; my own Archdiocese of Washington canceled all public Masses and gatherings at Church late yesterday. Today, the President declared a national state of emergency. So, this is where we are.

I will share the article tomorrow, which has practical tips (yes, I think it’s totally fine and normal and good to make an improvised Stations of the Cross in your home or backyard if your parish is closed). What I wanted to communicate is that God is still with us, even in this bizarre time.

I wrote:

“No doubt most of us would not have chosen this crisis to impact the world, but God, for some reason, has allowed it to happen. What can I learn about solidarity, care for others, patience, and letting go of my plans in this time? What about the reminder of the eternal connectedness of humankind, one in the body of Christ, suffering together around the world? There is something God is pointing out to us, and we can ask Him what that is in prayer.”

Indeed, there are many prayers that come out of this crisis. More:

“…that feeling of isolation many are experiencing opens up a world of meditations: what did Christ feel like in His last days, abandoned and alone? What did His disciples feel and experience in the days following Jesus’s death, as they hid from the Romans? What about those practicing their faith in secret every single day in countries where the Church is underground? How can I grow in compassion for those who spend their entire lives isolated, in prison or a nursing home? What we are experiencing is temporary; for others, quarantine is a way of life.”

Many people are stepping up to help the elderly and immuno-compromised get the food and supplies they need. Others are suggesting donating to food banks. Some are providing a temporary home for displaced students who are on extended mandatory spring break. These are all expressions of that singing of the Italians. The resilience of ordinary people facing an extraordinary thing. It is evidence of God’s ability to bring good out of bad, and it is all a sign of hope, even when there is no end in sight.

“Though you may have been dispersed to the farthest corner of the heavens, even from there will the LORD, your God, gather you; even from there will he bring you back.” Deuteronomy 30:4