[2 Feb 2020] Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
As the novel coronavirus spreads through Hong Kong, Macau, mainland China and across the world at an alarming rate, our hearts are filled with worries and anxiety. Our daily lives have been affected and we are forced to make all sorts of inconvenient adjustments to our routines. A sense of frustration, helplessness and even panic has enveloped us.
During this trying time, on the one hand, we need to pay attention to our personal and community hygiene by following the guidelines given by the medical personnel and the authorities. On the other hand, more importantly we need to lift up our trust to that faithful and unchanging Heavenly Father. We are not fighting this battle alone. Jesus Christ, who cares for us and walks with us, is the ultimate strength in whom we can put our trust.
At this time, let us pray more, especially for those who have been infected and for the frontline medical personnel. Let us be more attentive in extending our care and love for each other. Let our faith in Christ be even more strengthened during this time. The peace and grace from above will sustain us through this difficult journey. Each trial in life is an opportunity of growing and moulding for us. Allow our trust in God to become that powerful witness of love and faith. After going through this we shall become an even stronger community to the glory of God and for the love of people.
May God bless and protect us all.
Archbishop Paul Kwong Bishop Andrew Chan Bishop Timothy Kwok
While I appreciate the effort here, particularly the call for support of and compliance with government actions to stem the spread of the virus, something is missing.
I would dearly love to add: “Let us be the ones, strenghtened by our faith and our hope for the life to come, who are the first in the door of our neighbours who have been struck by the virus, be the ones who visit the hospitals and volunteer to care for both the ill and bereaved. Let us be the ones who lead with the gifts of money and time for aid agencys and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, let us be the ones who reach out to comfort and calm and disrupt the anxiety and fear people around us are feeling. Let us pray for ourselves that we might have the courage and strength to love our neighbour in their time of need and then, while we work and while we rest, let those of us who don’t have the disease on our doorsteps pray for all those across the world affected by the outbreak of the disease.”