St. Mark tells us that “Jesus was inside the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The followers went and woke him. They said, ‘Teacher, don’t you care about us? We are going to drown!’  Jesus stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. He said, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm.”

In late December, Dr. Li Wenliang wrote in a blog posting to other physicians at the hospital in Wuhan that seven of his patients were dying of a strange virus that destroyed their respiratory systems.  Soon COVID-19 devastated China’s provinces – and now the world.  A few months later Dr. Li reported on his blog that he had tested positive for the virus.  He died of the disease on February 27.  Dr. Li was 33; he is survived by his wife, who is pregnant with their second child.  [Connections, April 2020]

Today offer a prayer for Dr. Li, his wife and children and for each person who has died from the pandemic and for their families. Take a few minutes to reflect on the Apostles in their boat in the storm with Jesus (who was asleep) afraid.  Being afraid is natural. 

St. Francis de Sales wrote, “Let the world turn upside down, let everything be in darkness, in smoke, in uproar—God is with us.”

[In a  passage of Letters to Persons of the World]

Then reflect on how their peace was restored, it was restored when they once again TRUSTED in Jesus.  COVID 19 challenges us to do the same TRUST that Jesus will not only guide us through this pandemic but somehow use it to prepare for us to live in THE KINGDOM.

And so we pray, God, come to my assistance and make haste to help me.

God our Father, hear our morning prayer, let the radiance of Your love scatter the COVID 19 gloom in our hearts.

Give us the light of heaven’s love to restore our trust in Your mercy and Your plan.  Free us from the darkness that comes with fear and fill us with Hope.

We make this plea through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 

Amen.

May God Be Blessed!