Praying through the Pandemic - Easter Sunday

Fr. Mark-David Janus, CSP, is a Paulist Priest and President & CEO of the Paulist Press. He resides in New York City and was diagnosed with COVID-19 about three weeks ago. He wrote this reflection during his recovery.

Palm Sunday Thoughts by Rev. Mark-David Janus, CSP

It happened so fast.

So very fast.

Sunday was well, happy, triumphant.

Thursday night, we gathered for Passover.

The next night, He was dead, buried by strangers.

Over and done in five short days.

It never struck me before -reading St. Matthew’s passion-

As it strikes me now.

But now everything happens so fast.

People are sick and die, in less time.

The matriarch of a large Toms River Italian family

Dying without knowing two sons died before her.

Within the week, a New York physician dying in his husband’s arms,

Nurses across the street making gowns of hefty bags,

Respiratory therapists asleep on their feet.

Everyone out of work-no rent, no food, no hugs, no future-

I went to work one Monday

Was sick by nightfall-and next I knew-or didn’t know-

It was Sunday, which one?

It all happened within a week, to all of us

Milan, China, Spain, New York, everywhere.

No time to prepare, to react, to grieve, to think of any future.

The world ends quickly-even for Jesus.

This Sunday we wave no comforting Palms.

Comfort is found knowing the speed of disaster,

The speed of our surprise, suffering, grief,

Is shared by the swiftly Crucified

Who with dizzying speed raises us, as he was raised-

-into life with time only for love.

Amen.

Supportive Care CoalitionApril 12, 2020