Are you saying ‘yes’ to God, especially during this pandemic?
There is a lot to learn about the spiritual life. There are different stages, types of prayer, virtues, and strategies for being Jesus’ disciples. However, we could condense being a disciple or saint simply to one word: Yes. To be a saint is to be one who constantly says “yes.” Conversely, rejecting God or his plan, sinning, or stepping off the path of discipleship could be condensed down to one word: No.
Mary is the model saint or disciple. Mary’s response was, “May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). In other words, she said “yes.”
What is the significance for us? Well, the truth is that God is constantly making invitations to us to follow him. Every day, God invites us to cooperate with his plan. God invites us to say “yes” to him, “yes” to an adventure, and “yes” to his will. He also invites us to surrender the control we think we have over our lives to him, and he sometimes invites us to say “no” to our own plans and wishes.
When God encounters people in the Bible, they are often encouraged not to be afraid. Mary herself was encouraged by the angel to not be afraid. Naturally, the response to God’s invitation and plan is oftentimes fear. It can be scary to submit ourselves to God’s plan and say “no” to our own plans. Mary did not have to be afraid because Jesus was with her. After Jesus’ birth, the shepherds were told not to be afraid because Jesus had been born (Luke 2:10-13) — in other words, Jesus was with them.
I assume most of us do not have angels appearing to us like they did for Mary, but God has a messenger who always comes to us — the present moment. The present moment constantly asks us, “Will you say ‘yes’ to what is happening right now? Will you say ‘yes’ to what God is permitting? Will you trust in him?” Something that characterizes our present experience is the COVID-19 pandemic, but we should not wait to follow God until it is over.
To ignore the present is to say “no” to God’s plan. We should say “yes” to what is happening now, not because we like it or it is good, but because we believe that God is in control and is doing something during this time. We should be asking God, “How do you want me to respond to what is happening now? How should I follow you during the COVID-19 pandemic? Where are you inviting me to turn my ‘no’ into ‘yes’? How can I accept what is happening and trust you more?”
During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, there can be a lot of fear. We might be afraid of the virus itself, the uncertainty of the future, the state of our economy, or the isolation many experience. However, we do not have to be afraid because Jesus is with us. We also look forward to him coming to be with us in an even deeper way this Christmas.
This year, we have a glimpse of the longing the Jews had for the Messiah to come. With the pandemic, I think we realize a little more that we are not in control as much as we think we are. We are weak. We need a Savior to come help us during trying times. I think we all look forward to the warmth and joy experienced at Christmas. I think now more than ever we need that joy that the presence of Jesus brings.
Father Michael Trummer is parochial vicar at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Decatur and chaplain at St. Teresa High School and Millikin University in Decatur.