In Times of Adversity
Lately, we find ourselves talking a great deal about adversity. In light of our global healthcare crisis, it is certainly understandable that we would.
COVID-19 has resulted in the world experiencing great adversity. For the past several weeks and months – we have been forced to isolate ourselves from family and friends.
Life has changed – not like anything we have ever known before. Life is different – difficult – strange – chaotic – ADVERSE! We had hoped that this pandemic that has to date claimed over 500,000 lives worldwide was just a bad dream and would soon be over and we could all return to normal.
Today, I’m strangely reminded of the young man who went to see a fortune teller. The fortune teller carefully studied the hand of the young man and said, “You will be poor and very unhappy until you are thirty-seven years old.”
The young man responded, “Well, after that, what will happen? Will I be rich and very happy?”
The fortune-teller said, “No, you’ll still be poor, but you’ll be used to it after that.”
I don’t know about you, but no matter how hard I try – I just can’t seem to get used to life since COVID-19. Unfortunately, none of us can manipulate our circumstances – no matter how hard we try.
It is my prayer that in this difficult time of ADVERSITY—we will continue to work together to discover new and life-changing way to help our neighbors — and to serve our nation’s Veterans.
If we quieten our spirits for just a moment – we can still hear the Apostle Paul’s challenge: “Rejoice in hope – be patient in suffering – and persevere in prayer.”
May it be so in your life and mine—today but always.
Blessings,
Fr. Michael Tinnon