New Wine
Pope Francis has just now (30th May) on the eve of Pentecost, when Christians celebrate the Holy Spirit of God coming to the world in a manner never seen before, live streamed the rosary to holy shrines dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus throughout the world. The five glorious mysteries were recited by people intimately connected, as are we all, to the current covid 19 pandemic. Prayers were said that Mary ask her Son for an end to the suffering and pain all are experiencing at this time, just as she asked Jesus at Cana in Galilee, at a wedding, to help out when the wine ran out. As a result many litres of water became the best wine ever.
As the Church prays for the ending of the Pandemic we focus on the future. The Pope prayed that money spent on weapons of war may instead be spent to prevent this ever happening again. The phrase uttered about the first world war that this was a war to end all wars (H G Wells), can be re applied – that this is a pandemic to end all pandemics. But with all such slogans good intentions must translate into action. We have seen many wars since 1918. May we not see other worldwide battles with pathogens.
There has been an out pouring of new wine already in the solidarity shown within and between nations, esteem for those on the front line and most people pulling together and making great sacrifices so that we can, as a society and a world win this war against an unseen enemy which threatens us all, and start building a just and fair world. A world where the natural habitat of humanity, our creatures and ecosystems are respected and not exploited.
This means a change of heart. A new vision. A metanoia and re alignment with the Creator’s loving plan.