To put it mildly, we live in an uncertain time, perhaps a historic time. A generation from now, students may look back in their history text books and see that this was a time of a severe medical crisis across the entire world, and a time of world-wide panic and confusion. Of course, in addition to the new Corona virus, this is also a time of colds, flu and allergies – and people continue to die of cancer, and heart disease, and the flu, and in innumerable other ways. In other words, life goes on.
So how are we to live as Christians? First it is good to remember that the church has lived through many times of catastrophic plague, and every sort of disaster. As I mentioned in my homily for the eve of St. Gregory’s Day, in the year 590, responding to the plague in Rome, St. Gregory ordered a penitential procession around the city to ask for the protection of the Mother of God. As the people prayed, during the procession, the Archangel Michael appeared in the air and was seen sheathing his sword, indicating that the plague had ended. So first this is a time to pray, to call upon the Lord, and to call upon our friends – the saints – for assistance. This is a time to pray for the sick and the suffering, to pray for those who are fearful, to pray for the dying and the departed, to ask that the Lord will deliver us from this scourge.
And as experiencing this trial during Lent may remind us, this pandemic, as with all suffering and death, is ultimately due to human sinfulness, to our rebellion against God – not so much the individual sins of a particular person suffering at the time, but to humanity turning away from God, turning away from the source of life and health, and following our own paths, which typically lead to destruction and death. Some may speak of this as the wrath of God, others may see it as the inevitable consequence of turning away from goodness and righteousness. In the midst of this and every Lent, the Church calls us to wake up, to remember who we are, to remember who we were created to be, and to repent and return to our Father.
As rational beings, created in the image of God, we are also called to behave in a responsible manner. Scientists and medical professionals will use their God given abilities to find a cure and to care for those in need – and we should pray that God will strengthen them and grant them wisdom, patience and guidance. Then we need to listen to the advice of medical professionals (though there may be conflict and confusion there too at times) and take common sense precautions. The World Health Organization has given us a simple reminder (and this will probably be the only time you ever hear me quote the WHO in a sermon!): wash your hands often, cough into your elbows, don’t touch your face, stay at least 3′ apart from others, and stay home if you feel sick. At times we may need to turn off the news, which often stirs up a sense of panic, and spend that time more profitably in reading Scripture and in prayer, which will help us keep things in proper perspective.
We know that many churches have canceled all services for the next few weeks in an unprecedented manner. We will not do that. Here, at St. Gregory’s, we will dispense with kissing icons and hands. I will distribute the blessed bread (the antidoron) after liturgy. We will not have Sunday School for the next few weeks. And yes, you should stay home if you feel ill or if you have good reason to be concerned about your immune system. We may discuss whether to discontinue coffee hours, and to take other measures as the situation evolves. In other words, we need to be careful, but we will continue with life and with those things which are most important, specifically, offering the holy Eucharist, offering the bread and wine that they may become the bread of immortality and the cup of salvation. We will join in that offering whereby Christ gave himself for the life of the world.
And this brings me to another essential reminder. As Christians we do not fear death. Remember what we celebrate at Pascha: Christ is risen from the dead trampling down death by death, and bestowing life on those in the tombs. For two thousand years this has made Christians different. In the words of St. Paul, we know that whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. We can remain relatively calm in the midst of the panic of the world around us because we know that we are the Lord’s. It was this understanding that gave courage to martyrs and missionaries, and to every saint through the ages. We are the Lord’s and our lives are in his hands. Our Lord Jesus Christ himself tells us: fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. False teachings kill the soul, deception kills the soul, love of this world more than love of God kills the soul, drawing people away from God kills the soul – these are the truly scary things in this life.
We are to put our trust in God. We are to repent of our sins and call upon the name of the Lord. We are to live responsibly, caring for those in need. We are to remember who we are – and to remember who God is. In our Gospel reading today Christ was transfigured on Mt Tabor. The veil of his humanity was pulled aside and the glory of his divinity was revealed. Moses and Elijah, representing the law and the prophets, representing the living and the dead – all gave witness to him. Be not afraid, Christ said. God himself was going to Jerusalem, to voluntarily suffer and die for us. God himself went to give his life for us on the Cross, to set us free, to break down the doors of hell. God himself has shattered the power of sin and death. God is in charge, and that is why we do not panic. Thanks be to God.