By Paul Parackal
Rome, April 3, 2020: Our science and technology have reached greater heights. We have space stations and satellites in the space which can map the whole earth. A whole world of information and knowledge is on our palm with the arrival of smartphones.
A tiny microscopic COVID-19 pandemic or coronavirus, born in Wuhan, China, took control of the entire world. Everyone is shaken and most of us are confined to the house.
From Wuhan, it arrived in northern Italy and people thought light of it, in the beginning. Life was as usual. Warnings from the government were ignored. As the lockdown was announced people took off from northern Italy to all directions.
As they went they carried the virus too. Even Santa Martha, the residence of Pope Francis was not spared.
The virus is taken to all the ends of the earth now and is playing havoc in the lives of millions across the globe.
The positive one is taken to the hospital. He is in isolation and if he is lucky to survive he comes back to the family. If not, he is gone for the eternal rest without even a chance given for the dear ones to bid farewell.
It is a terrific feeling of loss to miss who was with us until the other day. But we see tremendous beauty also: Father Giuseppe Berardelli, the main priest of Casnigo in Northern Italy, died in hospital. He was 72 years old and suffering from COVID-19. He gave his life support to a young man and succumbed to death, a very heroic act of charity.
The virus has taught us to bend our knees and raise our hands in prayer to God. The government has done everything possible to save the lives. But there were too many to handle and they say we turn to God.
Businesses, markets, industries and jobs are all made into a mess for millions of people. It will take months if not years to recover.
We have learned to put off and postpone all our engagements. It is painful but it has its advantages.
Nature is reviving as human activities are halted. We need to learn from the mistakes of mass spreading. ‘Stay home and stay safe’ should be our motto. We will overcome it with time.
Reach out to everyone looking for some help. Keep everyone in the prayer. Engage in activities to overcome the pain and sadness looming around the globe. May the skies pour down blessings on all.
(Father Paul Parackal, an Indian, is a member of the Congregation of the Mission (CM) or the Vincentians. He looks after the finances at the congregation’s headquarters in Rome.)