What the quarantine exposes

IN a sense, we have to be thankful for this quarantine

time since it actually can act like a reagent that would expose to us

the stuff we are made of and of what and how we are making out of that

stuff.

            Yes, it can give us a good picture of our real self, the

real lay of the land of our life, the actual condition and state of

our mind and heart. It can show us where our strengths are, as well as

our weaknesses. At least, we would be given some ideas of what to do

with them.

            Many of us may have been caught completely unprepared for

this contingency. In which case, the lesson to learn is to acquire the

readiness of the Boy Scouts for any eventuality, especially the

emergency ones.

            Of course, more than materially prepared, we should be

spiritually prepared. Our mind and heart should be properly animated

by our Christian faith, hope and charity so that whatever happens, we

know that we are always in God’s hands and that everything would just

work out for the good. (cfr. Rom 8,28)

            When we notice that we are more dominated by fears,

doubts, worries and anxieties, than by a sense of confidence and calm,

then let us rev up our faith and hope. God takes care of everything.

Remember Christ telling his disciples many times, “Do not be afraid.”

These words should always ring out in our ears. We really have no

reason to fear, to worry and to be sad.

            We may have to spend more time and effort in praying and

in truly engaging God in a filial conversation full of trust. Perhaps,

this is what is lacking in us. Our life of piety is not that strong

and consistent yet. Our relation with God is still very tenuous.

  

            Whatever weaknesses in ourselves that we can notice these

days, let us learn to convert them into an occasion to craft the

pertinent virtues. Let’s develop the appropriate attitudes and

practices. Now is the time to put our spiritual house in order!

            Maybe it may just be a matter of saying some aspirations

to calm down our disturbed emotions. Or it could be to focus more on

the many urgent tasks that for sure we will never run out, since these

days are quite different from the ones we are used to. Our life these

days is quite upended. The challenge is how to make good use of our

time, observing the proper priorities.

            We may also have to strengthen our will to detach

ourselves from certain things that we enjoyed during the old normal,

since these would keep us unable to properly, let alone, promptly

correspond to the new demands of the times.

            The quarantine actually gives us new opportunities for

learning. If we are not good in things of the kitchen, perhaps now is

the time to learn something, like cooking, baking or washing dishes

and doing laundry.

            If we have been a pygmy in the new technologies, now would

be a good time to explore the many possibilities to level up. If we

have been using the basic apps so far, perhaps we can try the newer

and more sophisticated and powerful ones.

            If we have been limiting our circle of friends to those

whom we meet usually in the old normal or to the locals, now is the

time to go global. Of course, we have to practice prudence and caution

always, which are also virtues that we need to adapt to the new

circumstances.

            Never forget what Christ told us about the naked reality

of our earthly life. We will always have troubles here, but he assured

us to stay calm since he has overcome them. (cfr. Jn 16,33) He also

told us that we are actually thrown into a world of wolves, but he

advised that we be clever like serpents while remaining simple like

doves. (cfr. Mt 10,16)