Before 2020 is Over A Little More Craziness To Deal With

 Christmas is a week from today. Christmas in the midst of the pandemic. In all the years, in all the decades I've lived through, nothing quite compares with this year.  Though some good things happened in my family, overall it was a terrible, unpredictable, uncertain year that most people want to see behind them.

And if this year wasn't crazy enough now it seems a foreign government, an elite and very smart group of cyber experts, have hacked sensitive information from American government agencies and corporations and who knows what they'll do with the information they've stolen. The scary part is no one knows what they'll do next. No one. Most probably nothing, we pray it was just some good old espionage and nothing more sinister than that. Yet American Intelligence Agencies said, "the cyberoffensive was a grave risk to the federal government." 

 Churches should beware....if government agencies and corporations can be hacked so easily, with all the money they spend on cyber security, so can church databases. So many scams to beware of. I hope churches have cyber protections in place because there are cases where "bad actors" (from all over the world), freeze computer systems and ask for ransoms.....

Is this a crazy world or what? And yet in the midst of the on going uncertainties we live with in the modern world, faith is essential for believers. My faith and my prayer life got me through this difficult year. Catholic TV programming and the televised Mass was a great help in keeping me focused and spiritually-filled. The internet and you tube videos, especially those from Word on Fire were helpful.  

So I will pray as other people of faith will pray that 2021 will be a better year. We pray vaccinations protect us from the coronavirus and our lives go back to "normal." I can't wait to go shopping without a mask. 

And so as we leave this strange and absurd year behind us, let us be filled with Christian hope. Let us find renewed purpose in Christian values, charity and faith. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy Blessed New Year!! Let's remain in hope and pray the lights don't go out!

NJA

Congrats To America's First African-American Cardinal

 Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the Archbishop of Washington, D.C., is the first African-American Cardinal and this is what he is quoted as saying, that his appointment was an "affirmation of Black Catholics in the U.S." Black Catholics have certainly added greatly to the Church's mission, in the past and in modern times as well. Pope Francis elevated 13 Cardinals in Rome, including Cardinal Gregory, all of whom were wearing masks, in a sign of the strange times we are living through. 

Pope Francis warned the new Cardinals not to use their new titles for "personal gain or corruption," (God forbid!). The problem is their new title, "Eminence," makes it hard for these Cardinals and all the others to stay humble, like Christ. What's in a title? A lot. Their new title should be, "Servants of the Church," in my humble opinion, or something like that......I think the title "Your Eminence" should be done away with.  It makes it challenging for the Cardinals to stay humble and remember their roots.

Christ is so humble, without any pretense at all. 

So best of luck and God's blessings on America's newest Cardinal. May he bring many Black Catholics and others, who have drifted from their faith, back to it.

NJA

Who Knew What We Were Headed Into? A Coronavirus "Storm"

 Last Thanksgiving was a beautiful family holiday....sitting around my dining room table with relatives and my immediate family it was a memorable Thanksgiving. And yet in only a few months, everyone's world would drastically change as Covid-19 bore down on the world. Who could have known that 2020 would be such an anxious, surreal and tragic year?

I precisely love my deep faith because as the world plunged into uncertainty and despair I could rely on my faith in God, my deep prayer life and thank God too for Catholic TV programming, including the televised Mass which kept me grounded and growing in faith through it all. 

So this Thanksgiving will be a quiet holiday, no large family gathering. And we can only hope that the vaccine that is being developed will be safe, effective and readily available, so we can all put this "nightmare" behind us. 

My granddaughters give me great joy, but something else has given me happiness of late and it is something material. I purchased Andrea Bocelli's new CD, "Believe." It is excellent and I especially love his rendition of "Hallelujah." If you haven't heard it, please listen to it and be inspired as I have been. It's quite beautiful. Hallelujah or Alleluia means "Praise God." So listening to the song, enables you to praise God while listening to good music. I love being able to multi-task. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

NJA

Pandemic Fatigue is Real and Dangerous in Italy

 I watched a reality show on Friday called, "My Big Italian Adventure," starring American actress, Lorraine Bracco who bought a 200 year old home in Italy for about $1.00....and she renovated it, with the help of an architect and contractor.  There will be three more episodes. She bought the $1.00 house and the house next door to create a larger Sicilian home for her family, as a vacation home.  Small towns throughout Italy have been selling dilapidated homes for about $1.00 in an effort to get people to invest in their towns and beautify them.  It's an interesting idea and there are plenty of people willing to buy a home for a $1.00,  put down a $5,000 deposit and agree to finish the renovation within three years (or you lose the house and deposit).

Italy is a special place and I hope to return one day. I've made two trips there as an adult and there is no place quite like it. My grandfather came to the U.S. from Italy in 1925, and since my roots are there, there is a certain pull towards Italy.

Unfortunately, Italians are going through a great trial, another great trial, as the coronavirus is once again surging in Italy. Italians are not happy. Like most of us, they have pandemic and lockdown fatigue. We are all sick of it, this virus from Hell. You can't blame them, however some people are resorting to violent protests. In Naples, Italy, protesters set garbage cans on fire and protested because some cities are imposing restrictions and curfews again. Tourism is devastated and people are losing their jobs and incomes at alarming rates. Restaurants are suffering. Who can live like this? So tragic. As one restaurant owner was quoted as saying, "The money is gone." 

Everyday I pray for an end to this pandemic and a safe, effective vaccine as soon as possible, like millions of others are doing.  During this pandemic I have tried to be more charitable and have been doing more to help, "the poorest of the poor." That has given me focus and something constructive to do. We are all dealing with this unthinkable situation in our own way. But there is some hope. Fewer people are dying from the coronavirus, as doctors do have more therapeutics and medicines to give. There is a glimmer of hope that this will soon be behind us. 

"Hope is not an option for a Christian but essential to our faith." Whoever said that was a wise Christian!

NJA

Swiss Guards Test Positive For Covid-Pope Francis Needs To Be Careful

 Pope Francis needs to be careful. With eleven Swiss guards testing positive for the coronavirus and more testing to take place, it is certain there are others who will test positive. I pray the one guard who stands outside the door where Pope Francis stays at the Santa Marta guesthouse, is not positive. (Or the others who have had that shift.)

The Pope has so many challenges to deal with. He's trying so hard to straighten out the Curia, no easy task. There is a deadly, invisible virus, lurking all around him. Cases are trending up throughout Europe, unfortunately. The Pope should be careful, because of his age-83 and because he has another preexisting condition, a part of his lung was removed when he was young. Then he has all the stress he has to deal with. 

Maybe he should retire soon, as Pope Benedict did. It's all too much for an 83 year old to deal with in my opinion. Pope Benedict set a precedent for it, so it wouldn't be so shocking. 

May the Holy Spirit guide him and the Church through these unusual and stressful times we are living through.

NJA

Diocese of Rockville Centre, Long Island, NY Files for Bankruptcy

 On the Feast of St. Therese, the Little Flower, a much loved saint and Doctor of the Church, in a year that has been surreal so far, the Diocese of Rockville Centre, Long Island, NY filed for bankruptcy. It's a sad day for Long Island Catholics. The Diocese apparently didn't have a choice, given they were facing over 200 lawsuits related to sexual abuse allegations. Seeking financial protection, the Diocese had few options. 

Rockville Centre is the largest diocese in the U.S.A. to declare bankruptcy. A video presentation prepared by the Bishop, Bishop John Barres, which I watched, stated, "the diocese was not going to be able to carry out its spiritual, charitable and educational missions because of the increasing burden of litigation expenses." How sad. How did it come to this? It's mind-boggling. 

I feel sorry for Bishop Barres. I get the impression from watching Mass on the Catholic Faith Network, and listening to his homilies, that he cares deeply for the Church,  he wants so much for there to be dramatic missionary growth on Long Island, and he's faced with this crisis. I feel sorry for the victims of sexual abuse. I feel sorry for all those who put their trust in religious leaders and are now disappointed and deeply hurt.  

It's a sad day on Long Island. It's a sad year with the tragic pandemic causing havoc. Bishop Barres mentioned the pandemic as not helping the situation. 

Today the Scripture reading that struck me from the gospel was, "The Kingdom of God is at hand." We need the Kingdom of God to manifest. 

NJA

A Pandemic, Wildfires, Floods, Creeping Hurricanes and Birds Falling From The Sky

As Christians we are suppose to be people of hope. Our Christian religion is built upon hope, hope in the resurrection of Christ who opened for us a path to salvation and the Father. So I hate to be negative, but these are unprecedented times we are living through.  How can one ignore the signs of the times? If this isn't the start of the end times, what would that look like? (I certainly hope that is not the case and maybe once we get a safe, effective vaccine for the coronavirus things will seem "normal" again.)  

Climate change deniers had better wake up. Climate change is exacerbating the wildfires in the West. Warmer temperatures, drought conditions, wind events are all helping to fuel the fires. Yes, there have always been wildfires in the West, but not to this degree of destruction.

And then there was the slow moving hurricane Sally which did so much destruction in the Panhandle of Florida and the coast of Alabama. The hurricane was moving about as fast as we can walk, which made the flooding worse...also attributed to climate change. 

Pope Francis keeps trying to warn us. Climate scientists keep trying to warn us. But some human beings still don't get it. They think it's a hoax. Pope Francis knows better. Ask the people in California who barely escaped the flames, they didn't have time to get any possessions. So sad. 

Then the craziest story I read was about birds (thousands, maybe millions, of them) literally falling from the sky in New Mexico, to their death.  It's happening in other states as well. Scientists don't know if its related to the wildfires out West, but its affecting migratory birds. Time will tell what happened to them. 

I hope God has a plan to save us from ourselves. Because we don't. 

NJA

The Partying Goes On....Some College Students Still Don't Get It

 It's dismaying to read that SUNY Oneonta had to cancel in person classes less than two weeks after classes started because nearly 400 students contracted the coronavirus. It seems a few students threw parties even when they were not suppose to. They just couldn't wait, no matter what....a pandemic?  We won't get seriously ill, so they thought.  So sad. Five students were suspended because they organized those parties. But there were plenty of students who attended those parties, even knowing that it didn't make good sense and they could contract a serious disease. 

Sounds like science fiction. Students who tested positive were told they had to leave their dorms, some in the middle of the night , teary-eyed, being escorted by people in hazmat suits. 

And it's not only happening in upstate NY. Plenty of other campuses, who've just opened, are having problems controlling their students, who just have to party. The party must go on, regardless of the consequences. Nationwide this is a problem, with outbreaks on campuses in Georgia, Texas and Iowa. Even the University of Notre Dame, couldn't convince students that the partying had to wait.

It seems some students are not wearing masks, they are not social distancing, and they cannot resist gathering on and off campus for socialization. 

Dr. Deborah Birx, said at a news conference that students should isolate in their colleges if infected with Covid-19. "Do not return home if you're positive and spread the virus to your family, your aunts, uncles and grandparents."

But in many cases, that's not happening. Concerned parents are picking up their kids and bringing them home. (I probably would have done the same.) Hopefully they're isolating at home, but their families are still being exposed.

I wonder, if students were all tested before going onto the campuses? Were they told how serious the situation was? Were they warned sufficiently? Were the consequences of ignoring the rules not to party or gather in large groups made crystal clear? I tend to doubt it. 

I pray for a safe, effective vaccine as soon as possible, so we can all get our lives back. Please God enlighten those seeking the vaccine and cure. After all, the party must go on.

NJA

"When The Hell Is This Going To Stop?"

That question was the last sentence in a New York Times article describing a ferocious wind event (known as a derecho) which destroyed crops in the Corn Belt of Iowa. As people hid in their basements they knew it would be bad, but it was worse than they imagined. "Many across the Corn Belt of central Iowa were stunned by what they saw: millions of acres of corn and soybean fields left toppled, tangled and torn apart; roofs ripped off grain bins; buildings leveled......." (New York Times 8/16/20). 

So what's going on? Seems like this is the year from Hell but good things are happening too.....my second granddaughter was born in August so there are blessed events still happening. Thank God for that! But we are messing with Mother Nature and though there have always been storms, wildfires, pandemics and civil unrest, we human beings can be careless, selfish, greedy and full of pride and that has consequences. We've been warned over and over again in the Bible, but people continue to live as if everything is fine. 

There needs to be more respect for Nature, for the effects that climate change can bring if we continue to be wasteful and careless. Are the days of reckoning upon us? Is this a year to wake us up?

Fr. Donald Haggerty, a priest of the Archdiocese of NY, gave a stirring homily yesterday at St. Patrick's Cathedral,  on the evil that is present in the world. He called out evil as he should be. (It was not about climate change, just to clarify.) Yes we are living in evil days, but good will win the day. We have the victory through Christ, but we all have to do our part to make this a better world and realize climate change is real and has consequences.

NJA

Taking the Name of the Lord in Vain-Not Pleasing To God-Like So Much Else

 Sometimes when I'm watching a movie and one of the actors as part of the script takes the name of the Lord in vain or worse, I always think this is not pleasing to God. Not only is it not pleasing but it breaks one of the Ten Commandments which states, "You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain." It's disrespectful.

The Holy Name of Jesus is often used in vain and worse in movies and books and in some idle conversations.  Again this is disrespectful. 

The Ten Commandments are of importance to both Judaism and Christianity. The Ten Commandments appear twice in the Hebrew Scriptures, once in The Book of Exodus (20:2-17) and in Deuteronomy (5:6-17). If only people would pay attention to the commandments, listen and live their lives according to these biblical principles, it would be a much better world. We would also give glory to God by doing so.

But people in the modern world, aren't paying attention, many think the Ten Commandments are ancient, outdated rules. But that's not true. 

I'm not sure why I'm bringing this up, perhaps it's the Spirit but I like many are discouraged by what is going on in the world. Besides the horrific pandemic, whose origins can be traced to greed, pride and selfishness, there are other problems. There seems to be a break-down of civility, a break-down of living justly, virtuously and righteously. 

New York City is where I was born and lived most of my life. I love the city, its a unique place. And yet I hear stories of the decline of the city. Not only because of the pandemic, but also because of an uptick in shootings and crime. This should not be. Rules are needed, rules keep order. 

We are living through strange times. I hope and pray, people realize that biblical truths and commandments are still relevant today. I hope screen writers will stop using the name of the Lord in vain in scripts they write (it's not necessary). I hope people wake up, see what's happening and try to turn things around.

NJA 

Some Rules Don't Apply in the Rich Hamptons

Last weekend a Safe and Sound Benefit Concert in Southampton drew large crowds of partygoers. Apparently, what was suppose to be a drive in concert went beyond that with some people ignoring and violating New York States' social distancing regulations.
We've done a great job in New York getting the coronavirus numbers down. We wear masks religiously, and overall New Yorkers took the threat seriously and worked hard and did the right thing. The lower numbers now of new cases and deaths are proof of that. Our health care workers did an amazing job too.
But when you have money and there is a ridiculous amount of money in the Hamptons, sometimes the rules can be ignored. Money buys more than goods and services, it buys a sense of entitlement. I have friends in the Hamptons so I've been there many times and I have a good idea of what's going on. I have no problem with people enjoying their hard earned money (I like to shop as much as anyone else and enjoy the things money can buy)  but just because you have money does not mean you don't have to follow the rules. And that's the problem. People with money think they can stretch the rules or ignore them altogether and that should not be. But it happens all the time.
The Hamptons is a beautiful place, surrounded by water, the light is great, which is why so many artists are attracted to the Hamptons. The light is inspiring and helps the artist create.
So hopefully people have learned their lesson in the Hamptons and they won't ignore and violate the rules anymore, so we can all get past this nightmare that is the pandemic, that caught us all off guard.
Lord, help us through this difficult time.
Amen
NJA

God Help Us-Coronavirus Pandemic and Social Ills Affecting Happiness Levels

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic, followed by civil unrest, caused by the senseless death of George Floyd, is taking a toll on the American psyche.   According to studies people in the U.S. are more unhappy today than they've been in nearly 50 years. We are living through strange times. Things are out of whack. Just going to a store requires planning, strategy and some level of anxiety as you have to wonder if the person next to you coughs, will you get sick. Or even die.
2020 was suppose to be the start of a new promising decade, and then the unimaginable happened. Bill Gates and others predicted it, but no one planned for it. Just like that, out of nowhere, a pandemic, followed by civil unrest and a reckoning with racial injustice.
Life is fragile. There are no guarantees.
But when things get better, whenever that is, I'm sure they'll find that people who prayed, who stayed connected to their faith, who gained strength and courage from their faith, will have faired better. That's always the case.
What is God thinking? Who can know the mind of God? No one of course. But I imagine God is thinking that we've gotten ourselves into a big mess. We were underprepared and careless and even now are not doing enough to stop the pandemic. We have taken too long to heed Jesus' words and put them into practice about loving our neighbor as ourself. We are all children of God and deserve to be treated with respect and given opportunities for growth. All the world's major religions teach that you should, "Do unto others as you would have them do onto you." The Golden Rule.
Lord we need your help. Send your mercy upon us ASAP.
NJA

All Human Beings Deserve to be Treated With Respect and Dignity As Children of God

The tragic death of George Floyd is horrific and all people of good will are horrified by the circumstances surrounding his killing. This should never have happened and it should never happen again. I pray that needed changes come about that give all human beings a chance for a good, holy happy life, free of injustice. A first class education for all, is a good start, starting in preschool. All children deserve to grow up with a chance to succeed. Religious institutions, corporations and government all need to take an active role in restoring opportunities and excellent education for all people, from young to old.
During the pandemic I started the practice of journaling again. Journaling is good for you and has many benefits. Many spiritual seekers and saints have journaled throughout their lives. What I do is when a Scripture verse or famous quote or a quote from a spiritual book "touches" me, or "speaks" to me,  I write it in a notebook. I then go back to it....this way every morning or evening I don't have to search for a quote to journal about, I have them ready in the notebook. This quote which I wrote down recently, is timely.
"May God set all creation free from slavery and corruption that it may share in the glorious freedom of the children of God" (Romans 8:21).
Please Lord may we see all people treated as children of God and given the chance for success and freedom to live in happiness, contentment and peace, in a just and fair world. Amen.
NJA

Chickens Stolen During the Pandemic on Long Island

One of the Ten Commandments is, "Thou shall not steal." It's the 7th commandment. People have destroyed their lives and the lives of members of their family by stealing and ignoring and disobeying this important commandment.
Long Island, NY was hit hard from the pandemic. Tens of thousands of cases of the coronavirus and thousands of deaths. New York State in general suffered greatly from the virus and the deaths though lessening, continue. The horrific number of deaths in nursing homes was so sad for the elderly who died and their poor families who could not help them or see them. Truly this pandemic has caused great pain and suffering and I pray it is over with soon and a safe vaccine is developed.
One story that caught my attention in NY Newsday yesterday was an article about stolen chickens. For people to steal someone else's chickens from a farm on the North Fork of Long Island is pretty desperate. And that is what the owner said.
To quote, "Southold Town Police are investigating the theft of about 60 chickens from a poultry farm early Sunday." Apparently the thieves stole 60 and left 32. The chickens were about the age to start laying eggs.
The owner of the farm, Abra Morawiec, said, "I understand people are getting desperate and I'm sure there are other farmers around and in the country who've experienced people stealing livestock and crops and poultry from them during the pandemic."
It is very sad that people will resort to stealing during this national emergency. There are many food banks on LI giving out free food to those who need it.
Breaking God's commandment and failing to "love one's neighbor" during this time of crisis is just terrible news. Let's hope it was an isolated incident and the chickens are found.
NJA

More On The Coronavirus and the Book of Revelation

My parish Bible study group met again on Zoom this week and it's working out better than I thought. Of course, we miss the getting together in person but it is working.
I love Scripture Study and I think every parish should have a well planned, well organized Scripture Study group or maybe two. I love the New Collegeville Bible Commentaries, I think they're excellent and great for a study group.
So in between reading the Scriptures and discussing them and the commentary the question came up again this week....  how strange that we just so happen to be studying this Book of the Bible, at this time and is it just a coincidence or is there a deeper meaning? Also, some of us feel that we are living through a modern day apocalypse (unveiling) of some sort, to some degree, and a reminder of how fragile life really is.
Besides the horrific pain, suffering and loss that the coronavirus is causing throughout the world and the other problems such as hunger, isolation and hopelessness associated with it, people can't worship God properly or as they are accustomed to. Most of the churches in the United States remain empty and those that are opening have new restrictions (One I heard of from Florida will have only 25% capacity). The strange new reality of life during and after the pandemic.
So this week as we studied the Book of Revelation, I thought this verse was a prophecy we are living through right here in New York unfortunately.
"Those from every people, tribe, tongue and nation will gaze on their corpses for three and a half days and they will not allow their corpses to be buried." (Rev.11:9)
God help us and may this horrific trial pass.
Things seem to be improving. Somewhat.
NJA

The Novel Coronavirus and the Book of Revelation-2020

It just so happens that at this horrific, historic time, when the novel coronavirus pandemic is raging through the world, my parish Bible study group, (meeting now on Zoom), is studying the Book of Revelation. This book is considered apocalyptic, meaning "unveiling." Right there in the last book of the Christian Bible, in the New Testament, are signs we are living through this modern day apocalypse, that was prophesied about over 2,000 years ago. As crazy as it sounds, this might be a taste of what the apocalypse would be like. I seriously don't think it will be the end of the world and certainly things are improving everyday, but I do think our lives will be changed for a long time, because of this unpredictable, evil-like virus. And for some sadly and unfortunately, the worst case scenario did happen and will happen. Too many needless deaths, premature and lonely deaths, because of humankind's carelessness and lack of respect for the natural world.
Perhaps people of other faiths with knowledge of Sacred Scripture are thinking this as well...but when we were not allowed to worship in Church on Easter Sunday and other horrific things happened that holy day, I said to myself, "Something is out of whack."
A few days ago while studying the Book, with Church friends in our Bible study group, these words jumped out at me (the living Word of God), "You have limited strength and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name" (Rev. 3:8).
Yes we all do have limited strength at this difficult and confusing time and we have to rely on the advice of medical experts and trust in God to see us through.
Also, "Because you have kept my message of endurance, I will keep you safe in the time of trial that is going to come to the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.  I am coming quickly. Hold fast to what you have so that no one may take your crown" (Rev. 3:10-11)
The word "endurance" appears 7 times in the Book of Revelation. We have to endure, have faith and trust in God and the experts and we will see this pass. This too shall pass and just perhaps, maybe?, could be?, we lived through the prophecy from the Book of Revelation.
Stay Well!
NJA

We've Lost Too Many Good New Yorkers To The Pandemic

How sad this pandemic is....so many lost lives, so much tragedy...good, decent people dying alone, away from their loved ones...Please God end this awful pandemic.
Not only New Yorkers, throughout the United States, all over the world, brave health care workers, essential workers, and others, just doing their job, trying to stay faithful to their jobs and dying from this awful, deadly virus. So many innocent people, trying to live and having their lives cut short.
Let's hope lessons are learned by the world community. Let's hope this never happens again and people are held accountable, so that this never happens again.
Wherever this virus came from, we are smarter than this. To be outsmarted by a virus, in this day and time, with so much advanced technology is absurd.
I hope and pray this never happens again.
Too much loss, so much pain. Good, decent people dying.
I never thought I would live through an experience like this. No one could have imagined this. Well, some people did but not enough attention was paid to them.
I pray the statistics and data continues to improve, the world gets back to normal soon and this is just a bad memory.
Please God saves us from ourselves.
NJA

"The World Kissing Its Own Darkness"- The Pandemic Continues Into Holy Week

"He said, write down the vision you had, and I wrote what I saw.
I saw the world kissing its own darkness.
It happened thus: I rose to meet the sunrise and suddenly over the hill
a horde appeared dragging a huge tarpaulin.
They covered unwary land and hapless city and all sweet water and fields.
And there was no surprise....."
Jessica Powers

When I read the poem, "The Vision" by Jessica Powers, I thought of the strange image I saw on TV of a temporary hospital that was set up in Central Park in NYC, to help treat coronavirus patients. Somehow the words, "I saw the world kissing its own darkness," and "a horde appeared dragging a huge tarpaulin," seemed to fit the scene in some absurd way.

These are trying times. A Holy Week to remember or maybe to forget. So much pain and suffering, loss, disappointment and death. No one deserves what happened. Families torn apart, people dying alone. Warrior-like doctors and nurses doing their best, in disbelief of what they're seeing and dealing with. Little did we know, when Lent began, that in this year 2020, there would be an assault from a deadly, evil, sneaky virus.
Will humankind learn from their errors? Will wet markets, throughout the world be closed to prevent future deadly viruses from leaping from animals to humans and causing havoc? I hope so. I pray this all ends soon and the world recovers and the world learns.
The economic fall out will be great, world economies may never look the same.
Uncharted territory.
As Christians, we have to maintain hope. In the Northeast, it is Spring.
NJA

Keep Your Immune System Strong During Pandemic-The Harshest Desert

While being prayerful and using this critical time to practice social distancing and some isolation, to do our part, remember the saints and other serious seekers of God, often went off by themselves and retreated or went within monasteries or convents to pray, to grow closer to God in solitude.

Also since I have been doing a lot of spring cleaning, I found an article about superfoods which help build up your immune system.....I've added a few others I've read about before. Eating healthy will help you protect your body and keep it strong.

So here they are:
Black Tea
Celery
Cherries and blueberries (frozen is OK)
Oranges
Nuts and seeds
Mushrooms
Onions
Garlic (great in soups and making pasta sauce)
Pomegranate juice
Quinoa
Sunflower seeds
Whole grain cereal (organic)

Stay healthy
Let's pray this trial is over quickly.
When we were led into the desert at the beginning of Lent, no one expected "the desert" to be as harsh as its been this year. We will never forget the Lent of 2020.

NJA

The Great Warning-The Coronavirus Pandemic

The more I hear and listen to news reports, the more convinced I am, that the coronavirus pandemic   is a warning humankind is being given. The Great Warning.......
All the greed, pride, and blatant ignoring of the Ten Commandments as well as the Seven Deadly Sins amongst others, is out of hand and has been for along time. God is patient, but perhaps God can no longer protect us from the ignorance we show, or the lack of wisdom. Can it be that no matter how obvious the problems are, how obvious the changes that need to take place are, we continue like business as usual and in many cases, sin wins the day. Pornography, child sexual abuse, exploitation of children and women, animal abuse, selfishness, disregard for the created world.....the list goes on..........
People need to be more just, kind, compassionate, selfless and Christ-like. All the evils of this world, which cause pain and suffering to many innocents, must be corrected.
God is patient but if we are intent on destroying humanity, because of ignorance, greed, and lack of wisdom, what can God do?
We have warnings in the Scriptures, we have sacred books and writings, from many religious traditions. We know "what is pleasing to the Lord." We know what builds-up and creates harmony, goodness and love. Sin and evil deeds are not pleasing to God and cause disturbance and pain.
I hope and pray, please Lord, that humankind wakes up, does the right thing, abides in truth before we unknowingly destroy it all.
Christians are suppose to live in hope. Hope is essential to Christians. I am trying to be hopeful, but when I cannot even receive Holy Communion, because of the pandemic, I know for sure, things are out of whack. Please Lord, show us mercy and show us the way.
NJA

Putting All Fears and Anxiety on the Altar of God During Coronavirus Pandemic

We are living through strange times......for me, watching the Mass on TV on a Sunday morning instead of going to Church is something I never thought I would do. But I did it today.
Looking at empty grocery store shelves in America in 2020, who could of thought such a thing would happen?
This is the new normal, at least for the time being and its unsettling.
But its a good time especially since it's Lent to do Spring cleaning, to shed some things that are no longer needed. Since I will be spending more time than usual in the house, it's a good time, to gather up clothing I don't need or wear anymore and give it to charity. And other things as well.....
There are positive things that can be done, in this strange new day- to- day reality.
I hope its over soon, I hope the pandemic and historic time we are living through passes quickly.
I pray for the sick and their caregivers and those homebound.

These words from St. Teresa of Avila, a great Carmelite Spanish saint and Doctor of the Church, gave me some comfort today:

Be not anxious, have no fear
All is passing, God is near.
Love unchanging, that is God
Bear then all things patiently.
Who possesses God has all, 
Wanting nothing great or small
God suffices, God alone
You are God's, make God your own.
And oh yes, Rejoice!  
St Teresa of Avila

I would add, if I may "And yes, live in hope, because as Christians we are called to be hopeful, in the midst of trials and uncertainty, we have hope that the Lord is with us and will get us through."
Amen.
NJA

Fear and Uncertainty in the World Because of the Coronavirus

Due to the outbreak of coronavirus throughout the world, there is much fear and anxiety. The government is trying to allay people's fears but that hasn't kept people from hoarding sanitizers and face masks. And then there are the conspiracy theories that abound, which are quite frightening.
People who would normally be very much in control and level-headed were seen "fighting" over a can of tuna fish at the food co-op in Park Slope, Brooklyn (according to news reports). Say it isn't so! People want to have canned goods on hand, in case, God forbid it gets worse, which is a good idea. But let civility prevail. Maybe we are living in the end times!
There are new guidelines for receiving Holy Communion at Mass, in the Diocese where I am right now....and only the Eucharist will be provided during Communion.  Congregants are encouraged to give a bow or hand gesture instead of a handshake or hug during the Sign of Peace. Sanitizers are being used by the priests and liturgical ministers at Mass.
Holy water has been removed from the Holy water fonts, as a precaution. (Empty holy water fonts? I hope that's not mentioned in the Book of Revelation, as a sign of the end times).
In another part of the world, right in Pope Francis' "backyard," the coronavirus is causing havoc in Italy and also in Iran and South Korea. Pope Francis hasn't been feeling well, but not due to the virus.
The elderly and those with compromised immune systems are in the most danger from coronavirus.
What can we do besides washing our hands properly, using common sense, stop touching our faces as much as possible and pray for the best outcome and an end to the epidemic.
As Christians, we have no other choice but to humble ourselves before God and ask that humankind learns from past mistakes and goes forward smarter and wiser.
Lord, have mercy on us!
NJA

No To Married Priests in the Amazon Region Where Desperately Needed

I'm disappointed in Pope Francis' decision to not follow the guidance and wishes of bishops of the Amazonian region of the world who wanted and needed,  men of excellent virtue for a married clergy, for the sake of giving the people there better access to the sacraments. No to a married clergy in neglected areas of the world, no to making Eucharist more readily available to the poor people of the Amazon.
The Protestants in the Amazon region, must be thrilled..... more Catholics poorly served in that area of the world, will just join the Protestant churches where they are being "fed." This is already happening.....and will sadly continue.
I cannot believe this is what the Holy Spirit wants. ...for poor, marginalized people to be deprived of the sacraments, especially Eucharist. Does the hierarchy of the Church believe that the bishops and priests of the Amazon have made this request lightly or do they live everyday with the reality of Catholics lacking access to the sacraments and pastoral care?
Very sad to me...the Church seems out of touch with realities in the modern world. Young people (the nones) are leaving the church in record numbers. They are distancing themselves from all institutions, not only the Catholic Church......As the elderly die in our church, who will take their place?
There are real problems in our Church and giving in to the request of bishops in the Amazon, who are on the ground, who know the needs of their people and saying "no" we can't help you, is not forward thinking or compassionate, in my humble opinion.
NJA

Should We Be Afraid? Maybe

The Coronavirus which has killed over one thousand people in China and sickened thousands is a zoonotic disease. That means it jumped from animals to humans. Experts believe that it originated in bats, jumped to pangolins (a scaly mammal) and then to humans in a poorly regulated, wet marketplace, in Wuhan, China. In that marketplace, where there were dead and live animals, it was a place where viruses can spread.
The good news is that hopefully there will be a vaccine in the coming months and the strict measures the Chinese government has taken to stop the spread of the virus will work and the pandemic will stop.
But what frightens me is what if another zoonotic disease jumped from animals to humans and was deadly....for everyone....that's a very scary scenario, like a horror movie plot.
That could be the end.
Of course as Christians we have to live in hope. Hope should cast out fear.
But humankind is careless. We've been careless with creation. There is a lot of pride and greed in this world.
We need to respect the natural world and have greater understanding of the conditions that cause zoonotic diseases to thrive.
The unthinkable could happen. It's not that far fetched. I hope and pray it doesn't.
I try to be hopeful. I try to surrender my fears to God. But maybe even God can't save us from ourselves or our carelessness or greed.
NJA

UPDATE: Apparently experts now believe that the coronavirus originated in bats but then jumped not to snakes, as originally reported but to pangolins, a scaly mammal and then to humans. Pangolins are considered the world's most trafficked animals....sadly they are being hunted to extinction. Their keratin scales are used in traditional Chinese medicine.

"Deaths of Despair" the Working Class in America and the Church

After reading the disturbing article in the New York Times titled, "Who Killed the Knapp Family" by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn which highlighted the decline in the working class in America due to job loss, failed policies and drug and alcohol addiction, I wondered if the Church/churches in America could do more.
According to a Nobel Prize winning economist and his wife who coined the phrase, "deaths of despair,"  to describe the surge of deaths from alcohol, drugs and suicide in the working class, they said, "The meaningfulness of the working class life seems to have evaporated," according to Angus Deaton and Anne Case.
Low paying jobs, despair, an apparent lack of constructive social services and feeling left out of prosperity and upward mobility has caused immense problems.
What does the Church have to do with this tragic scenario? I think its an opportunity for the Church to become involved in helping people to find meaning and meaningfulness not only through prayer, Mass and praise and worship but also putting together opportunities along with civic organizations, and government support, to provide job training and learning courses to alleviate despair.
The Church needs to be relevant to people's lives. It needs to look for opportunities to be of service and help those in need. It needs to restore credibility
and one way to do that is do have sensible, realistic programs that provide needed services that can improve people's lives and help the children who are being so damaged by this situation.
If people are in despair and are turning to drugs and alcohol, that is an opportunity to tell people, we can help. We know ways to fill your despair with hope, with courage, with resources that can help.
That's what Jesus would do. He would find ways to heal and give people hope.
NJA