Faith Sees Best in the Dark

Recently, I visited a friend who just came back from quarantine due to COVID 19 infection and suffering from depression. He told me, “Where is God now? Why did He allow this pandemic to happen?” The question is as relatable and real to many who go through stress and strain during this pandemic. Many people ask these questions earnestly and seek answers. Tough as it is, the quest for answer begins with one’s faith and memories of overcoming past adversities.

Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855), a theologian and philosopher, describes it as “Faith sees best in the dark”. In Hebrew 11: 1, St. Paul asserts it as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” In the context it is said, St. Paul relates faith as persevering trust in the providence of the Lord. God never fails his promise to the faithful as He had shown in the history of personal and social crises. The present pandemic is no different from other tragic events of the past such as plague, wars, natural disasters, etc. The memory of God’s redemptive work in the human world is the assurance of things hoped for because He loves us even in His seeming absence when adversity strikes.

This adversity can be personal too. It hits like a thunderbolt in the night or unfolds in a slow breakdown of mental and spiritual crisis due to unexpected events like a pandemic. In this situation, the person suffers from a breakdown of usual personal routines and familiar activities or irrational fear of the improbable. In some cases, this can be caused by unexpected illness and accidents that drastically derail the realization of a goal or dream. However, it makes a difference to those who have shown resilience and strength in their adversities because in their “darkness” they discover something new and re-orient their lives towards God’s greater scheme. I remember the prison scene in the play Joseph the Dreamer when Joseph sang, “When God closes the door, He opens a window”.

St. Joseph, the husband of Mary, thought that his life as a spouse and father was predictably assured following his engagement to the young maiden. God changed his plan. Humanly speaking, it was a tough pill to swallow; but in a vision, he acceded and embraced God’s plan in faithful surrender and goodwill. St. Joseph saw this in faith, and he abided his life-purpose into His.

In Pope Francis’ letter, Patris Corde, he said, “Nor should we ever think that believing means finding facile and comforting solutions. The faith Christ taught us is what we see in Saint Joseph. He did not look for shortcuts, but confronted reality with open eyes and accepted personal responsibility for it.” Moreover, the Pope notes that Joseph and his little family “certainly needed to eat, to find a home and employment.” It does not take much imagination to fill in those details. Pope Francis rightly concludes that “Each of us can discover in Joseph – the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence – an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble.”

During this pandemic, amidst mounting loss of lives and livelihood of many and the suffering of those in quarantine and lockdowns, how can we draw strength to see God anew and rediscover our purpose in the new normal? Let us begin with family. Many families now rediscover the importance of prayer and dialogue.

The pandemic allows them to be together and spend quality time for each other. In my community of Marriage Encounter (M.E.), I am deeply moved by their initiatives of daily prayer and bible sharing sessions among them. More importantly, they organize online rosary sessions and novenas which end with exchanging of consolations and support to other families and couples in trouble. In other words, prayer becomes an occasion of reminding each other about perseverance and belief in a God who cares for us through good, optimistic, and helpful people. There is even an online spiritual direction and counseling session being organized for those families in crisis. In this situation, may families find consolation and strength in dialogue. In Amoris Laetitia, the Pope encourages this interaction, “Dialogue is essential for experiencing, expressing and fostering love in marriage and family life.”

Consequently, the prayers and dialogue happening among families that regularly conduct these activities lead them to outreach and service those affected by the pandemic. Serving the marginalized, neglected and deprived becomes another occasion of finding God who calls them to their brothers and sisters in need. In most cases, as for the couples in the M.E. community, they find God among them, present, healing and consoling. It is no surprise that such encounter is captivating and moving as they serve by bringing the compassion of Jesus to them.

As to my suffering friend, I could not find words to comfort him in his distress. Neither can I offer an answer to his query nor provide relief to his trouble. At the back of my mind was an image of the Good Samaritan whose silence is best expressed by his action of taking care of the wounded traveler and bringing him to the inn. I stayed with him as long as I could and prayed in silence for his recovery. After a few days, I met my friend again, looking well and relaxed. Before we parted, he said, “You know why the dark night is beautiful? It is because there are stars”.

[Soren Kierkegaard, Gospel of Suffering, Uplifting Discourses in Various Spirits, 1847.]