Q. Do you believe this corona virus pandemic is God’s way of punishing us or that He is mad at us?
A. Very good question; very timely. I am very grateful that you asked it because I believe this is on many people’s minds.
No, I do not believe God is punishing us. However, since everything in our lived experience, every person, place, thing, or event has God’s mark upon it—what we call God’s providence—could God be allowing this pandemic to happen as a wake-up call to us? Perhaps. Maybe He is allowing us to be severely tested to draw us back to Him.
The Scriptures are full of references of bad things that have befallen humanity since the time of Original Sin—and will continue until the end of time (Luke 21:9-19; Matthew 24:6 -11).
Those of us just a little bit older remember firsthand or knew of people who endured such things in their living memory such as polio, the Great Depression, two world wars, SARS, H1N1 (swine flu), ebola, etc. These things have afflicted mankind, and we got through them. And we will get through this current pandemic.
I know this pandemic has turned our world upside down; many people are fearful of getting sick, the well-being of their families, losing their jobs and savings, even possibly dying. Please, please, as best you can, do not worry. The Lord holds us in the palm of His hand (Isaiah 49:16). He loves us so much that He died a frightful death to save each and every one of us.
So much does He love us that Jesus says even the smallest part of our very being is known intimately to Him. (Luke 12:7, Matthew 10:30).
Jesus goes on to tell us not to worry because worrying will not change the outcome in the least (1 Peter 5:7, Philippians 4: 6 -7, Luke 12: 25- 31, Matthew 6:27). Therefore, if Jesus willingly went through His suffering and death for us and for our sins, will He not all the more watch over us?
Will this pandemic change our lives? Undoubtedly. Will there be silver linings in this? Very possibly. For the last several years, I have seldom seen people outside on “top-ten” days. It could be 75°, low humidity and sunny with still no one outside—no one walking, no children playing, and almost no outdoor activity.
Yet in a very short span of time, several of our false gods have been smashed: sports, technology, and money (Exodus 32).
In their place, families are reconnecting, spending quality time in prayer and deepening their family relationships with the television, Internet and video games shut off. I have seen more people outside, with their families, in recent weeks than I have in years.
So trust in the Lord and have patience. Rest firmly in the belief that Jesus loves you beyond imagining (Ephesians 3: 19-20). Make of this time what you can (Matthew 28:20).
Thank you again for your question.
This question was answered by a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln. Write to Ask the Register using our online form, or write to 3700 Sheridan Blvd., Suite 10, Lincoln NE 68506-6100. All questions are subject to editing. Editors decide which questions to publish. Personal questions cannot be answered. People with such questions are urged to take them to their nearest Catholic priest.
