IN TIMES OF AFFLICTION, YOU MAY GROW YOUR FAITH IF YOU BELIEVE!

Not long ago, many of you learned that I got infected with Covid 19. I had not been infected since the outbreak. I discovered that our Father allows us to find treasures even in the middle of the desert. We all know this virus has caused millions of deaths worldwide and tears in the families who have suffered it.

In my personal experience, I discovered a number of things that nourished my soul. And I realized that the virus has powerful physical impacts. Shortly after the pandemic outbreak, I wrote a post about Covid on social media. I said that if I ever got infected, the first thing I would do would be what is required to fight the disease, including care and treatment. On the other hand, I would ask Jesus to heal me and help me out of such a situation, provided His perfect will would wish to. Otherwise, I would entrust my soul to God for “neither death would separate us” (cf. Rom 8, 39), and if the time would come to depart for the Father’s home, His Holy Will would then be fulfilled.

Today, after my experience, I still think the same. And that was exactly what I did during my days with Covid. The Lord says: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland”. (Is 43, 19)

I know that every suffering that God allows serves as an X-ray that reveals our interior regarding our faith and the way we see life. It turns into an examination to know who we really are. It confirms whether or not we have our values thoroughly grounded. And if we discover we do not, we easily fall into disappointment and fear. One of the treasures we discover during a crisis is that it allows us to put things in place, value what is really important, and recognize the things unworthy of suffering and concern.

We appreciate more life and the people we must love, especially when such a crisis is a disease. I don’t like to say: “Thank you Lord, for you sent me this disease,” for I believe God allows the disease but does not send it to us. God is a genuinely loving Father, but disease, accidents, and death are part of living in an imperfect world as a result of the first sin of our first forefathers, Adam and Eve.

Hence, unexpected things can happen to us all, both the good and the bad. The difference is whether or not you have a relationship with God and perceive Jesus as an actual person or a distant figure. This defines whether you will face your situation alone or turn to God. For God is the one who trains us and gives us the strength to cope through these tribulations, struggles, and sufferings from which He raises us victoriously just as He promised: “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world”. (Jn 16, 33)

Therefore, the great apostle of suffering, St. Paul, amidst all the tribulations that God allowed to come upon him, recognized that nothing could separate him from God’s great love for him and each of us. Never forget his words: “What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord”. (Rom 8, 35-39)

During my time with Covid, I valued my faith in God even more, for I had no fear but trust in Jesus. After my time at home sick, my wife Sarah, who cared for and looked after me, got infected too. And she would say: “your faith and trust encourage me, and I trust that we will be fine.” You can convey fear or faith to others.

For this reason, I decided to share something so personal with you. To remind you that learning and good things can be taken out from suffering, you can make a better assessment of your life, your priorities, and others.

If you are going through a crisis, look at it with the eyes of faith. Do not be afraid. You will see those good things will come out of such a situation if you can trust the love of God, who is always faithful. Believe me, if you hang on to Jesus, your faith will grow.

We got well, thank God! And what we learned was a valuable love lesson. I encourage you to avoid fear when difficulty comes. Conversely, submit yourself confidently to Jesus. For everything is easier with Him. Everything is possible for Him.

This is why I have served Jesus for years. Not only for the many times He has allowed me to witness His excellent fidelity and love for me and you. But because He lets me preach and make him known to so many souls who get delivered from anxiety, anguish, worries, and even depression when they recognize that “Jesus is life and strength!”

I do not know you personally or what your life has been like. I do not know your sufferings or what you are going through today, but my Lord knows and understands, for He also endured and suffered for your love. And He loves you so much that He wants you to see Him amidst your pain. If you do, you will see the glory of God! Trust that things can be changed. Ask Him to increase your faith, patience, and hope. He will not deceive you but overfill you with grace. Receive Him in the Eucharist. Surrender to Him, and you will be happy. Even if you suffer. I pray for you and your needs. Jesus said: “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age”. (cf. Mt 28, 20)

Do you believe it? If you do believe, you will see the glory of God! Amen.

Finally, I want to pray for all my brothers and sisters who met with Eucharist Jesus during the Praying Congress “We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength” under the shelter and protection of our Lady of Assumption, whose celebration will take place on the 15th of this month. May Her powerful mediation preserve all the graces and blessings our Heavenly Father poured onto every heart that experienced such an encounter with Him.

I thank all the people who keep sowing and helping us continue carrying the word of salvation to families, marriages, children, youth, the elderly, prisoners, the sick, etc. For whom, in many cases, their sole consolation is to tune into our programming for strength, peace, comfort, hope, and faith.

Let us move forward. Let us not get tired of doing good. Thank you very much, Sowers.

Lovingly, Shalom,