According to the Chinese zodiac, this year is the “Year of the Rat.” But whether we are Chinese or not, we do feel a bit like rats.
Because, we are all in hiding. We only come out to get food. We store the food in our homes to eat later. And we are run away when people come too close to us.
Where once upon a time, and that was just three months ago, man was like the master of the world, but now he feels like a rat.
And all because of an incredible and invisible virus that has caused chaos to the world.
And like rats, we all left scuttling and scampering but with no solution in sight.
Mankind is like emptied out. All the science and technology, all the military might, all the stock markets and money power, all our dreams, our plans and our ambitions are all left crumbling.
What we hear nowadays are the rising number of infected cases and increasing number of countries on lockdown.
And as Easter is celebrated in empty churches, we must hold on to our faith in the Risen Christ.
But it can be difficult. Because faith is also like crumbling in the midst of this unprecedented chaos.
If no one has asked us yet, then we may be asking ourselves, “Where is God in all this? Why isn't He doing something about this?”
This poem may well express this sentiment:
When the churches are all empty
and the temple doors barred shut
while the mosque’s call’s long been silent
then the voice starts: where is your God now?
When the morgues are overflowing
and hospitals of dread are full
while the sick lie slowly drowning
the voice remarks, so cool: where is your God now?
When homeless beg streets empty
and hoarders stuff fridges full
while poor children lie in bed hungry
the voice starts to rule: where is your God now?
Our God is in nurses and doctors
exhausted teachers' endless screens
cleaners countless corridors
delivery men running between
supermarket staff toiling through nights
replenishing shelves stripped bare
masked bus drivers sending you home
strangers who offer to share
whatever little that they have
whatever little they can spare.
In hearts filled with quivering hope
God is often in you, when you care.
So where is our God? He's not in the tomb because it is an empty tomb.
Then where is our God? He is in the light of Easter candle which was held high in a darkened church as the priest proclaims:
“May the Light of Christ rising in glory,
dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.”
That is the voice that we must listen to, because it is the voice of our Risen Lord Jesus, a voice that tells us, “Courage, do not be afraid. I am with you always, to the end of time.”
So where is our God? He is risen and He is in our hearts shining His light in the midst of all this chaotic darkness.