FREEDOM FROM FEAR

Dr. Christina Lynch, a supervising psychologist for Denver’s St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, told CNA (Catholic News Agency- a great site for Catholic daily news) that fear of the pandemic is normal.

Ljuba Adanja- Toronto, Canada

“Being frightened about something that we don't understand is normal. I think the first thing we have to do is normalize our emotions and realize it's okay. We all are uncertain. We don't know what the future holds. We fear the unknown. We want to be in control.”

“It's a very normal reaction to be fearful or concerned…[but] you don't want to fan the flame of that fear. So what are the steps that you can take, knowing yourself?”

“Breathing is one of the best self-calming tools we can have. You know, just relaxing and creating a habit twice a day to just take some deep breaths, close our eyes, hold our breath and exhale... You [may] pray a Hail Mary while you're holding your breath and then you calmly exhale.”

We should all know by now that we need to wash our hands, limit our outside activities- here in Shaw most of us are just staying home-, etc.  But there are things as Catholics we can do to assuage some of this feeling of panic, like praying a Hail Mary when we wash our hands, which takes 20 seconds, the amount of time recommend to wash hands.

We can watch Masses and other spiritual devotions on line. I recommend going to YouTube for movies, conferences, retreats- they even have some old wonderful ones by Servant of God Bishop Fulton Sheen. Bishop Barron’s site and EWTN always have snippets of information that will nourish the soul.  Since many are hope now from work, be creative and don’t just idle away your time. Make it rather a time to face the Lord in a new way, maybe not preparing for your own death, but the death of others.

It is a time to PRAY!  And our theme this Lent of SILENCE fits here, as now there is less hustle and bustle.

Dr. Lynch says: “Maybe develop a habit of just spending five to 15 minutes every morning when you first get up. Maybe get up a little bit earlier and just pray, whether it's silent … reading scripture ... or praying a decade of the rosary.”

Dr. Lynch encouraged Catholics to see the spiritual opportunity in the weeks ahead.

“We're so used to being in control. This is a great opportunity to know that God's in control and to just give him more control and pray a prayer of trust to God every day.”