April 29: Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church
Posted by Campus Ministry on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at 9:00 AM PDT
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The readings for the Easter Season land differently for me this year. With almost every aspect of life being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and spending most of our time confined to our homes, I cannot help but draw parallels to what the disciples must have felt in the early weeks after Jesus’ death with their fear and uncertainty of what is to come. The first reading says “all were scattered,” which struck me as I thought of how much of the global Church is also scattered now as we are celebrating, worshiping, and praying within our own homes, just as the early disciples were. Amidst the fear of my family becoming sick, the worries about loved ones who are essential workers, concern for all of those who have lost their jobs or are financially struggling, it can be hard for me to maintain my faith and see beyond my own feelings at this moment. I imagine that the early disciples felt fear, worry, and concern, too.
That is why I am encouraged by that latter half of the first reading that speaks to the work that needs to be done in order for joy to come. The first reading states “those who had been scattered went about preaching the word,” and then, “unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice, came out of many possessed people, and many paralyzed and crippled people were cured.” I am reminded of the work the early disciples were called to do, to bring about the kingdom of God on earth and grow the early Church, and how we, too, in this time of uncertainty, are called to bring about the kingdom of God in our midst today.
There are many ways we can be Christ-like during this global pandemic and time of social distancing, whether it is donating food and money to those in need, picking up groceries for someone who can’t, donating blood, calling to check on those who might be lonely, or advocating for those who are disproportionately affected by the pandemic to your elected officials. The final line of the first reading says that “there was great joy in that city” after the disciples did their work; the rest of the readings have a beautiful focus on hoping for the joy that is to come as a result of being Christ-like. We must put in the work now, perhaps more than ever, to achieve a healthier, more just world. Surrounded by the chaos of today, we must anchor ourselves in hope of the joy that is to come, and witness to Christ’s abiding presence with our lives.
Kate Hannick, Class of 2019