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Short Sermon #107: AMID THE NOVEL CORONA VIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC


The world is passing through a challenging phase because of the Covid-19 pandemic. It seems no country will be spared. We also have not seen the full measure of the pandemic's fury, in my view.

It will take the effort of all of us to come out of this situation; not just your effort and mine, but that of the entire world. The journey is not going to be easy without such cooperation.

We need to work together. If one avoids putting their hand to the plough, all it would mean is that we will be in this situation for quite a long time - with devastating consequences.

We protect ourselves out of our love for mankind. If I am infected, it means a lot more may be infected, and some affected, because of me. Remember, some of such people are dear to us, and it would really break our hearts to make them pass through such difficult situations.

We also protect ourselves out of the love for self.

We need to help, to the best of our abilities, those who may be infected and affected. This is not the hour for anybody to avoid lending a hand. Indeed, there is no greater need than this for the human race at the moment. The world may come to a complete standstill if we do not act enough within the window available to us.

As I thought about the current developments around the world with regards to the Covid-19 pandemic - the topical issue on everybody's lips and in every newsroom - I could not help but find the following poem quite inspirational and truly instructive:
                                    

"Human beings are members of one another, since in their creation they are of one essence. When the conditions of the time brings a member (limb) to pain, the other members (limbs) will suffer from discomfort. 
You, who are indifferent to the misery of others, it is not fitting that they should call you a human being."
["Adam's children are limbs of one body, that in creation are made of one gem. When life and time hurt a limb, other limbs will not be at ease. 
You, who are not sad for the suffering of others, 
do not deserve to be called human."]
Saadi Shiraz - Popular Iranian Poet 

May this poem jolt us into greater and more effective action against this global pandemic! There is a role you can play in all this, in your own way and by the means possible to you, all the time driven by nothing but pure love.

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER

Prayer Point for Today: That I may understand that I ought to be my brother's keeper and conduct myself accordingly, always.

Father, I come to you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Jesus demonstrated what it means to be a brother's keeper, which I ought to be, and which all of Abraham's offspring ought to be - keepers of their brothers and sisters.

Jesus paid the supreme price for you and me. Truly, there is no greater sacrifice than to lay down one's life for one's brothers and sisters.

Help me God, I pray. Help the body of Christ in this regard and forgive it for the way members have behaved towards one another till now.

May we learn from Christ! May we have the heart of Christ! May the wellbeing and happiness of the next person be our own joy!

Indeed, the world would be a much better, happier and more peaceful place if we all would behave towards others in the manner we would want them to behave towards us.

Let the light of unity and love fill my soul. May the same light fill the world. May we get help and care whichever side we turn and as long as we need them!

I pray that the Holy Spirit would equip us fully for this!

In the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, I pray.

Amen.


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