Living in the Moment - 5th Sun of Lent - Episode 18
Many people are anxious and stressed about the current coronavirus pandemic and financial repercussions. Dr. Peter shares his own anxiety about the situation and how it connects back to a childhood experience that taught him how to inappropriately manage fear. As he and Dr. Gerry explore this week's readings, they discuss Jesus' presence with us throughout stressful moments and how we must focus on the present.
Overall Takeaway
Things that make us afraid or anxious now usually connect to a past perceived life-or-death event. We need to allow Jesus to bring life back into those fearful, numb, “dead” parts of ourselves.
Key Verses from Sunday Readings
“O my people, I will open your graves
and have you rise from them.”
“If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,
the one who raised Christ from the dead
will give life to your mortal bodies also,
through his Spirit dwelling in you.”
“When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping,
he became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said,
‘Where have you laid him?’
They said to him, ‘Sir, come and see.’
And Jesus wept.
So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him.’”
Where Catholicism Meets Psychology
Dr. Peter reflects on his own fear about the current coronavirus crisis and financial fallout and connects it back to being hospitalized alone as a 10-year-old boy. As that child, he learned that fear was dangerous and anger gave him control and power.
Although adaptive responses like anger and control can be useful in some situations, they are not helpful in all. Changing those automatic ways of responding requires insight and prayer.
Many fearful and anxious moments, like people fighting over water or toilet paper, tap into a basic human fear of death and desire for survival.
We all have parts of us that are numb, disconnected, despairing or even dead. Grappling with the causes and turning to our Lord can help us bring those parts back to life.
We all ask, “Why?” Martha and Mary wondered, “Why didn’t Jesus come before Lazarus died?” We ask, “Why is the coronavirus happening? Why did I lose my job? Why did my loved one get sick? Why doesn’t God do something?” Just like Jesus loved Martha and Mary and wept with them, He is with us, understands our sorrows and struggles, and loves us through them.
Action Item:
God provided the Israelites with manna for the day. When you are fearful, anxious or stressed, stop and ask yourself, “Do I have what I need right now? Am I safe right now?” and then explore what you think you need that you don’t have. Take that to prayer.