By Fr. Glenn Jones
Was very sorry to see the news of Los Alamos yesterday with a number of shops having been “broken into”… rather an understatement when one looks at the photos. The poor shop owners—first they get hit with closures because of the coronavirus, and now this. “Who woulda’ thunk it” in quiet little Los Alamos? But … it happens once in a while. Los Alamosians will remember a several-night crime spree a few years ago. Such things certainly wake us up from easy complacency.
That “double whammy” of the shop owners reminded of a much worse double hit in the early 20th century; you may have seen stories recently. While World War I was raging in Europe, also was raging the Spanish influenza epidemic which killed many millions around the world. In fact, when you’re driving through New Mexico and pass by an old run down cemetery, find the older section and you’ll very often see a cluster of headstones—often young people, and often of the same family—around 1918. But soon the Roaring Twenties would come … only for the nation to get pummeled again in the Great Depression and then World War II. No wonder the people of that time are called “The Greatest Generation”—they really went though the proverbial wringer (by the way, explain to the younger set what a “wringer” was, please).
When natural disasters occur, inevitably is asked: “Is this a punishment from God?” Who’s to say, but if so, it has quite a way to go before becoming something as horrific as a world war, or the Spanish flu, or the Black Plague, or the diseases which wiped out so many Native Americans, or as any number of disasters of the past. Christians must resist the temptation of self-righteousness in condemning, remembering Jesus’ own words: “…[God] makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45), or the example He gives that misfortune is not necessarily related to sinfulness: “…those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, No…” (Luke 13:4-5) St. Paul warns us: “Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Master is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:4) Good advice (obviously!).
No, the Christian’s task is not to judge, but rather to simply teach the Gospel by word and example, guiding and correcting those willing to hear, and leave the judgment of the soul to God alone. After all, who among us Christians has been a saint all of our lives? As that saying goes, today’s sinner may be tomorrow’s saint … hopefully not the reverse. The Christian’s task is also to pray for all persons as Solomon prayed at the dedication of the Temple: “If they [or we!] sin against thee — for there is no man who does not sin — and thou art angry with them…yet if they lay it to heart…and repent, and make supplication to thee…then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place their prayer and their supplication…and forgive thy people who have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions which they have committed against thee; and grant them compassion…” (1 King 8:46-50) After all, Jesus died for every man and woman—past, present and future—so what kind of Christians would we be to despise even one whom Our Lord loved enough to die for?
Yes, a pandemic is a terrible thing … but even in the desert flowers may be found. The dedication and selflessness of health care workers, law enforcement, truckers, grocery store and pharmacy employees, teachers streaming classes, etc., have rarely shown more brightly, sustaining society even in lockdown and social distancing. But another thing that’s noticeable is something that was much lost, and seems now to be being rediscovered—the increasing closeness of families.
We who remember the pre-internet, pre-video/game, pre-cellphone/perpetual texting era may have been struck in recent years by the absence of activity in neighborhoods and parks. It is so quiet! Yes, there are organized sports and activities, but very little of families and kids playing in yards as was common in days gone by. Rare are impromptu ball games, kids on bikes, etc., some out of lamentable necessity because of modern dangers, but some also because of our distractions. But some of that missing quality time seems to be being revived as families spend more time together due to school closures and business lockdowns, strengthening bonds which can be so much more fragile in our day. That is a silver lining for what is otherwise a very dark cloud. Perhaps that’s a good part of the bursting of the bubble of complacency—cultivating the family bonds once again.
Yep, complacency can be quite the danger. Jesus spoke of this often, one of His most common admonitions being “Watch! You know neither the day nor the hour.” (Matthew 25:13) The problem is … we forget!: “In the day of prosperity, adversity is forgotten, and in the day of adversity, prosperity is not remembered.” (Sirach 11:25-27) So we must be always mindful of the important: Love of God, love of neighbor. Love of family. The common good of all. And be safe out there, for: “Health and soundness are better than all gold, and a robust body than countless riches. There is no wealth better than health of body, and there is no gladness above joy of heart.” (Sirach 30:15-16)
The end of this mess will come, and so we recall:
At dusk weeping comes for the night; but at dawn there is rejoicing.
Complacent, I once said, “I shall never be shaken.”
…Hear, O LORD, have mercy on me; LORD, be my helper.
You changed my mourning into dancing; you took off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.
With my whole being I sing endless praise to you. O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks. (Psalm 30:6-13)
Rev. Glenn Jones is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.
