LENT 2020 – A Cure for the Coronavirus Pandemic

Presently, we are in the middle of the Lenten Season. The Lenten Season 2020 is very different from all previous periods of Lent. In addition to the fasts and sacrifices we have chosen for ourselves, there are many more fasts and sacrifices that have been imposed on us by the Coronavirus Pandemic (WWIII). This is a Lenten Season for the whole world; believers and non-believers; Catholics and non-Catholics. A great light has gone out in Rome. This virus has forced Italy to completely shut down, and all public religious worship and Masses have been cancelled, even at the Vatican.

The purpose of lent is to test our obedience to God and his servants; our faithfulness to God and our Covenant with him; and our capacity to trust in God. It is also a time to be purified and delivered from all our attachments and addictions; and a time to be prepared for what is to come, a time to be clothed with power from on high, and a time to practice charity and do works of mercy. Most important of all, lent is a time for prayer and solitude; a time for quiet to listen for the voice of God.

Our people have been bombarded with busyness and can no longer experience the presence of God or hear him when he calls to us. We have become so addicted to every kind of social entertainment – sports, theaters, dining out, parties, bar hopping, etc. etc. – that we cannot even tolerate being alone with ourselves. We cannot sit still long enough for God to find us. Even though we are with other people, we can’t be present to them because we have become so divided as a nation. We are at war with everyone, including ourselves. Not only have our attachments divided our country, they have divided our families and brought about the breakdown of family life. Families no longer have quality time with each other. Parents no longer have time to teach and guide their children in the way of the Lord.

Lent is a desert experience. Moses led the Hebrews out of slavery to Egypt and into the desert. The desert prepared them for a new life in the Promised Land. Jesus was led into the desert by the Holy Spirit, to be tested by Satan and prepared for his mission as Messiah.

Lent, as well as all suffering, loss, trials, and deprivations, test our love, our character, and our virtues. Lent can enable us to grow in compassion and virtue. It can bring out the best in us and/or the worst. Our response to the Coronavirus Pandemic will separate the sheep from the goats. We have a choice to revolt against God and his appointed servants or to support them and give them the obedience and respect due to their office; to put ourselves first or to put the common good first; to grumble and complain or to trust in the Lord; to blame others or to pray for them; to share what we have with others or to hoard everything we can get our hands on, even when we don’t need it. God warned the Hebrews to only gather enough manna for one day at a time; that any excess would turn to maggots and dry up the surplus. Panic and fear can cause us to prolong lent and slow down recovery.

Lent is an opportunity for our people to be in solidarity with the poor and suffering, with Christ; and to heal our divisions through compassion and service. The greatest sacrifice for many Catholics is the loss of Mass and the Sacraments. We cannot forget that God is with us and will never abandon us. He will never deprive us of the grace we need and hunger for. We are temples of the Holy Spirit, and Jesus dwells in the hearts of all those who invite him. Jesus is not confined to the Churches or the Sacraments. Many Catholics take the Mass and the Sacraments for granted and lack gratitude. We often don’t appreciate the gifts of God until we are deprived of them. Solidarity with those who have always been deprived of these gifts – those in prison, those in countries who do not have freedom of religion, those in irregular marriages, those who are sick or hospitalized, those who are not Catholic, those who have left the Church – may enable us to really hunger for God and appreciate his gifts.

As I reflect on what is happening in the world today, I am reminded of a prophecy that the Lord gave me in 1978. It is also included in my book, The Two Shall Become One. I will end with an excerpt from this prophecy:

"Listen, my people, I have not come to condemn you. I have come to prepare you. I want you to be ready for what is to come. In the past you have celebrated the Lenten Season by choosing your own deserts—your own sacrifices and fasts. But, a Lenten Season is coming upon the World of which no man has any control. I am leading you into a desert that you did not choose. I am preparing you for a time of glory, for victory. Trust me! Follow me! If you love me and love one another, the desert cannot hurt you. You will be victorious and through you I will save the world.

I have warned you that days of darkness are coming upon the world, days of trial and tribulation. A great light will soon go out in Rome. When that happens, greater darkness will come upon the earth.

Do not rely on any of the supports you have had in the past. I am going to strip you of everything you depend on now so that you will depend only on me. For my power is strongest in weakness. I will pour out all the gifts of my Spirit and when you are completely empty you will be able to fully yield to my Spirit and my power will be manifest in you and through you.

Be prepared to lose everything for my sake and you will gain everything. You will have to suffer for a little while, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. Nature will cry out in birth pangs and there will be famines and floods and earthquakes. But, I will renew the face of the earth. Trust in Me. Many people will be given over to evil, rejecting God and hating all that is good and holy. You will be hated and persecuted, and some will even be martyrs for my name.

I have told you all this so that your faith will not be shaken. Band yourselves together in me, for I will triumph, and my glory will be seen upon the earth. A new day is coming and when that day comes your joy will be great. In that day you will have everything. But, you must let me prepare you. From now on a man’s household will extend to his community, his brothers and sisters in Christ. It has been said A woman’s place is in the home. From now on a woman’s home extends to the community. It has been said, Put your house in order. But, I say to you “Put your community in order.”

If you do not want your love to diminish, then keep my commandments:

Do not let the sun go down on your anger. Make up with one another while you still have time. You must seek to heal all wounds of division and strife. Humble yourself before one another. If you really want to, you can make peace without compromising the truth.

Do not resent you brother’s every offense and never act in a fit of passion. Pray first and let go of your anger before acting. I have no favorites. If you are angry when you correct your brother, you are as guilty as he is—unless it is righteous anger, which is seen only in the perfect.

Do not find fault before making a thorough inquiry—first, reflect and pray, then give a reprimand.

Jealously guard one another’s reputation and good name. Do not allow anyone to speak against your brother. What they say about your brother they say about you, too, because you are one. Remember, your enemy will pile up false accusations against you to turn you against each other. Do not be quick to listen to all you hear. Do not be gossip mongers.

Listen before you answer and do not interrupt a speech in the middle. Do not argue about something that does not concern you. Support one another; don’t knock each other down.

Do not put on airs when you are in difficulties. Do not be afraid or ashamed to let your brother see your vulnerability. Your vulnerability is precious to me and moves my heart to compassion. Be honest with yourselves and with one another. Do not repress your feelings. If your brother has offended you, then go to him, humbly, and make it known to him. You may discover that it was unintended, that your hurt was in vain.

Make each other’s needs your own. Suffer with those who are suffering, rejoice with those who are rejoicing. Be patient with one another and allow for each other’s mistakes and weaknesses. Do not criticize or rashly judge one another. Your vision is limited, and you do not see the whole of a man’s heart. Teach one another. Build each other up in my love. Be gentle when you need to correct.

Do not make comparisons, comparing one person with another or one group with another. Do not take sides, one against another. Have nothing to do with factions. Do not judge a man by his outward appearance, or whether he is rich or poor, young or old, black or white, educated or uneducated, Protestant or Catholic, layman or clergy. My choice has nothing to do with these things. I choose whom I will.

Show your love for me by accepting all that I allow to happen to you with joy and thanksgiving. Do not grumble or complain. Trust in me. Praise me in adversity, in trials, in suffering, in tribulation."

Lent 2020 can be a cure for the Coronavirus Pandemic if we are willing to embrace, to take up, all the losses, inconveniences, and sacrifices that come to us, as our cross, and follow Jesus. We cannot forget that nothing can touch us unless God allows it. Nothing can touch us unless it is first screened by the Father’s love.