Commandments

As I write this, I acknowledge that I am a sinner and deserve the justice of God.  Thank God for his Son, and for his Mercy, because if it were not for Him, I would be lost for all eternity.  All the good that I am, and all the good that I have done, I owe to my Lord Jesus.

1. I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange gods before me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day. 
4. Honor your father and your mother. 
5. You shall not kill. 
6. You shall not commit adultery. 
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 
9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods. 

In these unusual and strange days, I have examined the state of my own soul, as well as the state of society.  I wonder if we are beginning to witness the labor pains that Sacred Scripture has warned us about.

In the book of Matthew, he talks to us about the signs of the times, and that when we see these things, we will know that it is the beginning of sorrows.

Covid-19 has brought about a global crisis that no one could have predicted.  Only in apocalyptic books or movies, have we witnessed the widespread panic, desolation, government control, and monetary uncertainty.  

Aside from the disease itself, we have found that nearly overnight, humanity has been brought to its knees.  We can no longer conduct life freely!  A couple of nights ago, I had a dream that I tried to go shopping, but had to navigate dangerous waters, full of crocodiles, in order to reach the store's front doors.  Even if I managed to do so, I would have to cross the moat again to return home.  It doesn't take too much imagination to figure out why I had such a highly symbolic dream.

Where many of us would have denied relying on the government for a bit of reassurance financially, as well as for health guidance.  And, yet, here we are. 

Humankind is the very pinnacle of God's Creation.  He created us in His Image, to love and serve Him freely.  Throughout history, humans have struggled to love and serve properly because of evil.  We are divided within ourselves due to sin, which entered into the world when our first parents disobeyed God.  

Every generation is called to God, to see Him clearly, to hear His voice, to take our place of honor as children of the Most High.  And yet, each generation has had its falls, its evils, its sins.  Each generation could be arguably called "the worst".

Our current generation has perverted the laws of God.  If we take the time to review the Commandments (listed in order above), we should take care to be honest with ourselves.  It is not easy.  We now understand why Adam and Eve hid from the Lord after their sin.  They were ashamed.  We, too, should be ashamed, but also understand that God is like the father in the parable of the prodigal son.  He waits with immense love for us to return, and when we do (through sorrow and contrition), he will place his ring of fatherhood upon our finger, and feed us a sumptuous feast.  He will rejoice!

Perhaps, these times we live in are calling us to examine ourselves in the light of God's Commandments.  As the "labor pains" have started, what can we expect?

I am not a prophet, I am merely expressing my thoughts and reflections.  I have had six children, so I know a bit about labor pains.  They always proceed in the same manner -- the first twinges are so mild, they could be mistaken for a bit of indigestion.  As they increase in number and in intensity, we begin to wonder, "Is this 'it'?".  Rhythmically, the pains come and go, until there is no doubt left, yes, the baby is coming.  Labor is here, and there is no turning back.

This is what we are experiencing today.  The beginning pains are here, and as they increase, I wonder, is this 'it'?  If so, what is the outcome?  As real labor produces an increase in pain and discomfort, culminating in the joyous birth of a new life, this labor will also increase in discomfort.  The pains will become more frequent, more uncomfortable.  Mustn't we consider that God is using these pangs to bring us to our knees; to return to him as his prodigal child?  He loves us that much, that if we do not wish to come to him freely, perhaps we will need to eat the pig slop and sleep in the cold hay for a bit, to realize with Him, we will have everything that our hearts desire?

When the labor pangs crescendo, we will live through something very difficult, but in the end, we will rejoice with Him, because the order of the world will now be returned to Him.

I ask my friends, my readers, to study the commandments above.  Allow the Lord to see your nakedness, and acknowledge your sinfulness.  Only then, can He restore you to your right place as His beloved child.  Don't wait until it becomes the darkest and most painful part of our process.  Go to the Lord today...this Good Friday...give Him your every crumb of sin... your soul is decomposing with disobedience...allow Him to embrace you in these times of social distancing.  He can breathe new life into your starving soul.

I love and pray for each one of you.  God's peace be with you, and with all of humankind.