Ecclesiasticus 15:15-20 / 1 Cor 2:6-10 / Matthew 5:17-37
Lately, one of the hottest selling items is the thermometer. And if we have a thermometer we would be taking our temperature, we would be probably taking our temperature everyday.
The normal body temperature is about 37 degrees Celcius. If it is more than that, then we would be alarmed.
Because one of the symptoms of the COVID-19 is having a fever. So if the body temperature is 38 degrees Celsius or higher, it would be better to consult the doctor immediately.
And since the virus has no respect for rank or riches, then anyone could be infected by it.
And so it was with concern and care for the safety and the protection of the people of God, that Archbishop William Goh made that difficult announcement to suspend all weekday and weekend Masses in the Archdiocese until further notice.
It was an unprecedented decision but a necessary direction in the face of an escalating situation which our nation is trying to contain.
Moreover the Church needs to be responsible and help the country to curb and contain the spread of the virus and to bring it under control so that life can be brought back to normalcy.
With that we will be able to understand what Jesus meant when He said in the gospel that “If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.”
Whatever sentiments we might have about the suspension of the Mass on weekdays and weekends, we can be sure that there was a lot of consultation before making that difficult decision.
The Church has to exercise the virtue of charity and respect for the well-being of others as our country strives to curb and control the spreading of the virus.
This may be called a sort of crisis-moment. But a crisis is like a double-edged sword.
A crisis exposes our weakness and we can succumb to the trials and be torn apart.
On the other hand, a crisis also offers many growing and learning moments, and we can become stronger and more matured by it.
Some of the best lessons in life are learned from the worst of times.
Maybe the recent situation of the raging bushfires in Australia is a learning lesson. It was the worst bush fire in history and many people had to be evacuated.
We have also seen pictures of a handful of firefighters facing a wall of fire that seems to reach to the sky. The one word that might come to our minds is “futile”. What is the point? Might as well forget everything and run.
But after the scorching fire came the rain, a bit too much maybe, but the rains came, and the scorched land is now ready to begin a new life.
So the efforts of the firefighters and the relief workers have not been in vain. It comes back to that saying – “We do our best, and God will do the rest”.
Similarly for this current situation, which is not just affecting Singapore alone but also throughout the world.
We must acknowledge and support the efforts of the frontline personnel like the doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, ambulance drivers, policy implementation officers and the support staff.
We also must pray for the leaders of our country and for the Archbishop and other church leaders. They have the difficult task of making decisions and taking unprecedented directions for the good of the people they serve.
They want to do their best and we support them with our prayers that God will do the rest.
And even though Mass is suspended for the time being, this is also a time to be spiritually creative and find ways to be united in prayer, be it synchronized prayers, virtual adoration or spiritual communion.
These are trying times, but the suspension of the Mass is not really about the question of faith.
The question is whether in these times are we fervent in our faith and prayer, and that will be the measure of our faith.
We pray for the best, and God will do the rest.