Repentance During Pandemic and Chastisement

Repentance during this pandemic is in order. Whether you agree with the coronavirus as a form of chastisement or not, America and the world is in need of repentance. Even for the our lack of response to God in these present times when people should be turning to him all the more.

By Barbara (Bobby) Case Speers

Father God, during the pandemic, we have barely kept one-hour of prayerful worship at your altar. Just as Peter neglected to pray while in the Garden of Gethsemane, so have we. In Mark 14:37, Jesus said to Peter,

Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?

Peter’s spirit was willing but his flesh was weak (verse 38). Yes, churches are closed or can only have a small number of faithful in attendance. Yet, few are seeking the golden opportunity of the liturgy in the sanctuary, sanctioned by secular executive order. According to good sources, even the digitally streamed Masses are barely being viewed. If we are given these channels of worship, but failed to use them in times of adversity, have we sinned? Have we forgotten our first love (Revelation 2:4)? Hebrews 10:24-25:

We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.

The early church was persecuted, tortured, and many died as martyrs – Jesus, his Church, and worship was central and imperative. Currently, the true Catholic Churches in China and other government-controlled countries have gone underground. They are prohibited to practice their religion publicly as they deem necessary. The government has removed statues, religious art, and altars from the above-ground sanctuaries. Will we lose our religious freedom, too?

Read about our wounded human nature and the need to repent.

Holy Father, reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we are instructed about the importance of Mass. Some deny the sacredness of the assembling together as if it were only a sing-a-long and the consecration of the Eucharist can be done anywhere. We know this is not true.

The celebration of Sunday observes the moral commandment inscribed by nature in the human heart to render to God an outward, visible, public, and regular worship “as a sign of his universal beneficence to all.” Sunday worship fulfills the moral command of the Old Covenant, taking up its rhythm and spirit in the weekly celebration of the Creator and Redeemer of his people.

CCC 2176

The Sunday celebration of the Lord’s Day and his Eucharist is at the heart of the Church’s life. Sunday is the day on which the paschal mystery is celebrated in light of the apostolic tradition and is to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal Church.

CCC 2177

Lord, forgive us for being spiritually lazy, spiritually neglectful, spiritually blind, obstinate and rebellious children lacking faith, hoping to appease others. Have we also forgotten, we commune with you on the most intimate level, feeding our eternal souls with your body and blood? Jesus said:

Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.

John 6:53-56

Should we not seek Jesus at any cost? Or, do the laws of man supersede the Laws of God?

O Lord, please forgive our wretchedness and weakness and ignite a small burning ember in our hearts, enabling the Holy Spirit to revive us again. Make our Holy Spirit rise up and turn the tables in our souls, cleansing and transforming our spiritual temple! For without the consecrated Holy Eucharist, this is impossible. Father help us carry the cross of the Coronavirus, not out of defiance for the laws of the land, but let us demonstrate our love for You. We are washed in the Precious Blood of the Lamb, Amen.