The Bugle of Triumph over coronavirus - <i>By Dr Sr Judith Lewis</i>

April 8, 2020

The prophets of doom are announcing a message of gloom around us and people are overpowered by anxiety, fear, worry and stress. There are reports of people committing suicide just to flee away from the awful disease of coronavirus. What should be the right attitude towards this pandemic? How should we respond to this unexpected and unwanted evil?

One among the most significant potential abilities of human beings here on earth is their cognitive power gifted by the Creator to give meaning to realities of life. At the face of it, the current pandemic due to coronavirus or Covid -19 is presenting us a very meaningless absurd plight of humanity. Human beings have become so vulnerable, that they are unable to see no other perspective, but the fear of becoming victim to the dreaded disease.

Such being the case, it is useless to become armchair critics and raise questions like, ‘Why this virus? Why so people have to die? Who is the cause of it?’ and the like. Finally, we have our protector God, so we can ask, ‘Why God is not acting now on our behalf? If he is loving, merciful, benevolent a Divine Power why is he so silent?’

The whole cosmic order has been established under firm, definite, invincible laws of nature, with which God will never interfere. Our pleas to God interfere with them is totally unreasonable and it only manifests our own stupidity. It is we the human beings due to our arrogance attempted to interfere with the cosmic order of the world and now we have bear the consequences of it. We know the Newtons Law: “every action has an equal and opposite reaction”. Virus is a human action manufactured by us and the reaction is evident: the untold misery and deaths all over the world. It is natural and logical that we humans become victims as a normal reaction to what we have done. Yes, being fragile individuals, we are not able to face the consequences of some arrogant humans who interfered with the law of nature. So there is so much of dread, stress, anxiety, fear, hue and cry. Some even trying to take the easiest path of suicide.

Sarvam duhkham, sarvam anityam, (All is sorrow and everything is transitory) declared Lord Buddha in 6th century BC. He also discovered the law of suffering by affirming that it is the ‘desire’ which causes suffering and sorrow. It means the human desires first of all, should be self regulated and secondly they should be subjected to basic ethical principles. Otherwise the humanity cannot exist joyfully, nations cannot survive peacefully and nature will become a holocaust and humans will becomes the victims of overwhelming greed of few.

Where shall we find a way out? Only through providing a meaning to what happens to us. It actually means the arrogant should repent and do penance to obtain the forgiveness for their evil designs. The righteous should come forward in charity to support the downtrodden and to alleviate the sufferings of vulnerable and homeless. The society in general should open its eyes and submit in obedience to follow the norms promulgated by the authority in charge. And all without exception should learn to accept one another in love and friendship with mutual concern and care for his neighbour. This is the time to become good neighbours. This is the hour to show our authentic humanity. And this is the moment to make meaningful our own coexistence. If we are determined to do that certainly coronavirus can never become invincible. It will be humbled and made to surrender.

Our scientists are powerful enough to combat the virus with antivirus and provide the humanity with a weapon of vaccine which will put to flight the enemy without delay. The world will change, people will see each other with new perspective. Those who are in house arrest will shout from the top of their terraces, ‘God is Great’ and all will embrace the nature and environment, professing with renewed vows to observe its laws.

This is the time and hour to understand the contingent nature (anityam) of our being. To accept our little place in this vast universe, and never dare to poke our nose in the affairs of the divine nature. Let our warfare, let our research, let our developments and all out future plans and projects be undertaken with deep reverence to the rights of the nature, rights of each nation and rights of each human person. Let us embolden ourselves and equip ourselves by putting on the ‘whole armour of God’ (Eph 6:10).

Let us not give up, but let us march hand in hand towards our destiny, without sorrow and without anxiety, but with confidence, hope and belief in ourselves and in our Creator.

 

By Dr Sr Judith Lewis UFS
Sr Dr Judy Lewis UFS, Sampoorna Counselling cell, St Ursula Convent, Bolar, Mangalore has a doctorate in Clinical Psychology and Counselling from St Thomas University, Manila, Philippines. She is part time visiting professor and counsellor at various Religious Institutions and at Little Rock Indian School, Chanthar, Brahmavar.  You can reach her through Email:  judylewis77@gmail.com; Contact No.
9535309187.
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Comment on this article

  • Sr.Trenitha, Konaje

    Sun, Apr 12 2020

    Well written article sr.
    Thank you for helping us all

  • Asha Monteiro, Kasargod

    Sat, Apr 11 2020

    Thank you Sr. Judy for awakening that it's the desire that causes pain and a way to come out of it and being the hope to the cosmic.

  • Shanthi, Mangalore

    Thu, Apr 09 2020

    This article is the need of the hour.

  • Valerian, Mangaluru/ Doha

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    Very well written timely and informative article👍. Definitely human being mend his ways for coexistence with nature . Economy becomes secondary if we truly perceive quality in life. Let turn clock 50 years back then we understand quality of life inspite of economical struggle.

  • Joachim Dsouza, Mogarnad

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    There is a day or time for everything. Life and death are inevitable, between life and death to care share and shelter each other is the greatest thing without expecting any publicity or prominence. The lesson Virus spreading is to go to God as well go to each other fulfilling the norms of the nature.

  • Arun D'Souza, Kulshekar, Mangalore

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    This is nice article you shared great information i have read it thanks for giving such a wonderful Blog for reader. Thank you Sr.Judith, Congratulations

  • Benny D Cunha ufs, &

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    Dear Sr Judy, thanks for the informative article to the current situation. Worth reading and reflective. Congrats

  • Jason, Thottam

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    Very positive and useful.Well written.

  • veena Maria, Israel

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    very informative article and this article helping us to cope with the situation.Thank u so much Sister.

  • Fr Richard Mascarenhas SJ, Puttur/Dharwad

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    Very boldly written article. The author, besides reflecting the issue from Psychological point of view, she also reflects from Philosophical, Theological and Cosmological point of view. Above all the author invites every individual person to have faith and confidence to fight against this (human made) dangerous virus with the help of God given abilities. Thank you Sr Judy for your timely contribution to the suffering humanity to hope for a better future! Congratulations.

  • Ivan Saldanha, Mangalore.

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    This very balanced and rational expert view from Sr Dr Judith is indeed fresh breath in this fearful pandemic that is gaining ground in India and the world over. Her allusion to all being temporary 'anithyam' is a deep philosophy to ponder and take courage and solace from. This is a much needed exhortation in this desperate time. Let us be balanced. Thank You.

  • Ina Carmelita D'Souza, Mangalore

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    Thank you Sis Judith,
    You have done your share of responsibility to the society by encouraging us and sharing your valuable thoughts with us while we are trying to do our little bit in our own ways. May Almighty God bless us all as we prepare ourselves to the Holy Tridum and Glorious Easter to us all.

  • Fr Vincent D Souza Capuchin, Mogarnad

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    Dear Sr Judy, thanks a lot for the nice and informative article. In this time of Pandemic due to Corona Virus (COVID-19), there is a need to become optimistic, hope for the bright future than lose meaning in life. The above article gives us a new hope pointing out the realities of life. We need to seek the divine protection each and every day of our life. Thanks a lot Sr Judy, for enlightening us through this article. All the Best.

  • Lawrence R Pinto, Thane, Mumbai.

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    I agree with your thought .We have to repent and ask Gods forgiveness for the sins of others . We should not loose hope, and we should Pray to GOD.
    Psalm 91 can protect us in this situation, and Whatever is written in our BIBLE is coming TRUE. Read Isaiah chapter 24 and 26 carfully, particularly Isaiah 24 verse 10 and Isaiah 26 verse 20 onwards.

  • Manju, Mumbai

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    I like her Quote from Lord Buddha. It is scientific.
    “Sarvam Dukham, Sarvam Kshanikam, Sarvam Anathmam, Nirvana Shantham”

    Meaning, “Everything is sorrowful, everything is temporary, everything is unsubstantial or illusory, salvation alone is peace.”

  • Same, Kuwait.

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    This article is the need of the hour. Very positive and useful.

  • Frans, Philippines

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    Sr. Judith,
    Thanks for this article. Very timely and informative. By obeying and practicing the rules and decisions we can over come indeed.

  • Vincie Rodrigues, Thottam / Canada

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    Great to see your knowledge and understanding of human nature in both its strengths and weaknesses together with meaningful suggestions how to to deal with this pandemic and move on with our time on earth during the gift of our lives.

  • Roshan D’silva, Mangaluru / Kuwait

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    Dear Sr. Judith, very well written and totally agree with your reference made to Newton’s law. It’s eye opener to all of us and time for us to repent on mass destruction made by power of money, wealth , jealously etc etc. God bless all of us and show us the path forward filled with righteousness and humble living. Once again many thanks for this writeup which is indeed need of the hour.

  • Sophiya, Belthangady

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    Useful article sister
    Thank you so much

  • Elvita, Mangalore

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    Thank you sr
    This article is the need of the hour.
    A time to think on positively and keep praying.
    May we not shattered with the anxiety but may this article help many to have self confidence and hope to cope with the situation.

  • Sr Lily Fernandes, Mysuru

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    Dear Sr Judith
    Timely article. Well written. Calls for introspection. Gives hope! Everything is transitory. This too will pass away.

  • Arun Dsouza, Saripalla/ Manchi

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    The timely thoughts remind us that we are helpless and defenseless in the presence of God almighty but God is so kind to take care of our every need and weed away every weed from our lives. Corona - 19 is an opportunity to come back to the Creator come back to the family come back to the nature to experience the richness of God's love and shed our duplicity. Congratulations Sister for reminding us in time.

  • Janet Crasto, Dubai

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    Well written Dr. Sr. Judy Lewis,

    All nations explored the space and universe but we forgot to explore the next door neighbour, the poor and the developing nations. We forgot to wipe their tears and feed them. The rich were becoming richer and the poorer, day by day. How come no strategy was made for the poor.

    The economic consequences is that the daily labours, the farmers, the self employed, will be suffering more, thus effecting every country and their economy.

    Countries are now awake from their sleep, Now make your own masks at home, wash your hands well, clean your minds and hearts. In short, be self dependent and use your common sense. God is still in power.

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    We are thankful to the Almighty for inflicting less sufferings to our Karnataka ...

  • Varun Dsouza, Mallikatte

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    Thank u so much Sister for a nice reflection.

  • Stephen Quadros Permude, Permude/ Kaikamba

    Wed, Apr 08 2020

    Very organised, Very positive and useful.


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Title: The Bugle of Triumph over coronavirus - <i>By Dr Sr Judith Lewis</i>



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