HONG KONG (SE): A livestreamed Mass was offered for health care providers and the sick during the Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic on January 15. It was organised by the Hong Kong Central Council of Catholic Laity and celebrated by the council’s spiritual director Father Joseph Liu Ah-lun.
Starting December last year, the council collected 489 online prayer cards on which people wrote down their prayer intentions for medical professionals and the sick, which were also included in the prayers during the Mass.
In his homily, Father Liu said it was sad to see that the world is still seriously affected by the pandemic a year after the outbreak and that it is shocking to see the increase in the number of cases every day, with over 90 million infections recorded.
He said he understands that many of us do not know what to do, as our lives have been affected in different ways, but such situations can be a reminder that we need to work together to find a way out.
He invited people to overcome the trials with faith and be like the four friends of the paralysed man in the Gospel of Mark who brought him before Jesus despite difficulties.
He said Jesus does not heal the sick from physical illnesses immediately, but he sees their sins, which cause sufferings and he frees them from their sins. Father Liu invited people to pray for wisdom and strength for the health care professionals as well as faith for the sick.
For February, the council is inviting people to fill in online prayer cards for their family and friends before the Chinese New Year. A Mass will be celebrated online to pray for the intentions on February 26, the Lantern Festival, or on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year.
