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Stress seems a unique modern problem; but, it is not. In Mark 6:31, Jesus said to the apostles,”Come away to a deserted place by yourselves and rest a while. For many were coming and going in such great numbers that it was impossible for Jesus and his apostles to even eat.”
They responded by escaping to a deserted place, but the crowd followed them.
Jesus had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Despite being very tired, Jesus ministered to them as he ministers to us today.
Effects of stress
We see stress’s effect by holding a glass of water. It won’t be heavy if we hold it a short time; but, if we hold it longer, our tired arm drops to rest. The same is true of stress. We need to put it down and rest. When we are rested, we can pick it up again, and it will feel lighter.
Fear of the coronavirus and violence have caused much stress. The word normal is frequently in our prayers. We hope and pray that life becomes normal again.
History can help us to lessen stress by revealing that pandemics and violence have happened before and humanity has survived.
Three worldwide (pandemic) outbreaks of influenza occurred in the 20th century: in 1918, 1957, and 1968.
When I was in the Navy, the Hong Kong flu invaded our ship. Being young I thought I was too strong to get it; but I did! I felt the weakest I ever felt. It humbled me
On October 16, 2005 Scott Fornek of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote an article entitled, “1918 Outbreak Ravages U. S., City. Could it Happen Again?”
Included in the article was a picture of Chicago sanitation workers wearing masks in the 1918-19 flu pandemic.
Fornek describes restrictions as strict or stricter than those of today.
The uncertainty of the coronavirus causes stress.
Event after event has been cancelled including my 50th anniversary Mass, marriage anniversaries, the annual Venerable Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli Mass in Benton and numerous other activities!
Stress and praying
To meet this uncertainty, praying the serenity prayer is helpful: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
This prayer reminds us that though we may not have control over our present situation, we can have control over how we let it affect us.
Today, wearing a mask, social distancing, and being restricted in other ways are normal.
Many who are house-bound are very creative in getting through each day and offering it to God.
Many believe that each day is God’s gift to us, what we do with our day can be our gift to God especially during the pandemic.
We can pray for courage to share Christ’s love. We can pray over the phone, keep a journal, and pray for our country and for virus victims.
Some of my life’s best moments occurred when our family prayed together.
For me some graced moments during the pandemic are when someone calls or sends a card simply asking, “How are you doing?”
Little things can mean a lot!
We can read the Bible, do other spiritual reading, watch Catholic videos, listen to Relevant Radio, watch EWTN, read the Catholic Herald, or listen more attentively to God and others in daily life or at Mass. We can make time for fun and relaxation.
Laughter reduces stress. If we are able, we can take a walk, work in the garden, or mow the lawn.
Realizing daily that we are loved by God and others reduces stress and helps us to love ourself, God, and others.
We can recall daily that God is with us. Workers in every hospital room, nursing home, and in other risky services remind us of unsung heroes!
We can accept responsibility for creating or maintaining stress and if necessary, change bad habits that weaken us and cause us to lose hope
As we know in the midst of this pandemic are other problems. Let us resolve during these trying times to stay close to Jesus whose way is the way of respect, love, and justice rather than violence, despair, resentment, fragmentation, and destruction.
Above all, let us appreciate the gift that we have in freedom of worship.
I close with this prayer: Let’s keep a masked distance, to lower stress and to cope, But strive to stay close to hope, Invite Jesus as our daily guest He will help us give our best!
Fr. Donald Lange is a pastor emeritus in the Diocese of Madison.