Why are you testing me! There are some people today who see the pandemic and the corona virus as God testing us.
“Why are you testing me” are words we heard Jesus speak today in Mark’s gospel. Some men were sent to trick him with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus knew in his heart that these men were insincere, and his words evidenced pain and hurt. “Why are you testing me?
Those words of Jesus could be asked of people who see the virus as a test from God. How could anyone believe that the death of thousands, the destruction of economies, the pain and anguish of the poor across he world could be a test when as the psalmist reminds us today, In every age , O Lord , you have been our refuge, that before the mountains were begotten and the earth and the world were brought forth you God are everlasting.
As the Psalmist also noted and we affirm today “in every age man has been turned back to dust. In every age seventy is the sum of our years, or eighty, if we are strong and most of them are fruitless toil, for they pass quickly, and we drift away”. But is it also true that our days have also been filled with kindness, joy and gladness?
One can see how people could begin to think that God puts us to the test. In the Second Letter of Saint Peter, our beloved Peter, the spiritual guide of early Christians felt the need to put fear into their hearts. On the one had he urged them to be patient and wait for God’s coming a second time but told them don’t test God because the days are coming when the heavens will be dissolved in flames and the elements melted by fire.
We can ask about testing today, but the testing of educational models that this virus has turned upside down; the testing of family relationships and the need for all members of a family to pitch in and help and not take one another for granted or the testing of a governments preparedness to provide adequate care for the most vulnerable among its peoples.
Jesus could be asking us to test him about his message of hope, righteousness and peace among peoples. And we could also be testing ourselves and ask, giving all that we are going through these days are we growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?
- Father Leo's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
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