HSE team thinks ahead to reopening of churches, schools
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A good story for all time
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All authority Matthew 28:16–20
By Jemma Redman
Today’s gospel says it all. There are no ‘ifs’, ‘ands’ or ‘buts’—it is a statement of fact that “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me”—the Lord Jesus Christ.
The world is scared and powerless over this pandemic—when we listen to everyone on the media and those in authority, we hear the same questions, both here and abroad—‘What is going to happen to us?’; ‘What is going to happen to the economy?’; ‘When will we get back to work, to school, to our old way of life?’.
The world is defiant to get back to business as usual, some have resigned themselves and accepted the fact that many would die, as we go back to normal.
We are still looking to man to give us the answers when, no-one knew that the pandemic was coming, no-one knows how and when it will end; no-one has yet discovered a vaccine or how to solve this crisis.
Where is God in all this? Have we forgotten to turn to Him, the one who is still on the throne, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords? He is the one who speaks to the mountain and it is removed, who parted the Red Sea and made Heaven and Earth and us. He has the authority.
He tells us, do not fear “the terror by night; or the arrow that flies by day; or the pestilence that walks in darkness; or the destruction that lays waste at noon day. Do not fear for I am with you. I am the First and the Last., the Ancient of days. The Alpha and the Omega.”
God has given us the way out of this pandemic and all other ills that society faces. He told us to humble ourselves, turn from our wicked ways and pray….not only pray, which is the easiest to do, but to humble ourselves and turn from our wicked ways, which are harder to do. It is only then, He will hear from Heaven and heal our land.
Let us not continue to be anxious to return to business as usual, but instead be urgent to obey and do what God has instructed us to do, so we can be saved! Our country can be saved, our world can be saved!
Philippians 4:6 says “Be anxious for nothing…. but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
We either believe Him or we do not. The only one who has all authority, He is the one who has conquered death and hell! Only He could have told the thief that “Today you will be with me in paradise”; it is only He can say “Lazarus come forth”. Only He can call an end to this pandemic if we obey.
Psalm 145:11 says “They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom and talk of thy power; to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. Thy Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.”
Let us remember always “And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.”
The gospel meditations for May are by Jemma Redman, founder of Spirit Global, a spiritual support non-governmental organisation called ‘to walk with men and women’. She is the Artistic Director of The Drama Ministry for the Southern Vicariate, and for St Mary Magdalene RC Church, Houston, Texas.
