Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection announced that over 960,000 people had contracted Covid-19 in the fifth wave of the pandemic, which amounts to one in eight people. Someone joked that infected people were everywhere, like convenience stores, there must be one near you.
Every day, people hope that the pandemic will be brought under control soon so that the social gathering restrictions can be eased and daily life can get back to a semblance of normal. On March 21 inbound travel restrictions on nine countries were lifted so people in the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Canada, Australia can visit family in Hong Kong. They hope that they can also travel overseas to relax.
As we enter the fourth Sunday of Lent, we as Christians anticipate the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ who brings us redemptive grace, hope and the reward of an eternal life.
The government’s anti-pandemic and social distancing measures mean religious premises are closed until April 20, so churches can open after Easter Sunday if the measures are not extended. So there will be no physical devotions and retreats during Lent and Holy Week.
To help people prepare for Paschal celebrations and to support anti-pandemic measures the diocese announced in mid-March that Holy Hour would be observed for five consecutive Wednesdays beginning March 16 at 8.00pm, including Eucharistic Adoration, Bible reading, homilies, prayers for the medical staff, the diagnosed, the dead in the pandemic and war, Ukraine and the world. This is the time to pray for the forgiveness of the world’s sins and our sins. Moreover, the diocese will also have meditations on the Way of the Cross on four consecutive Fridays. These devotions will be uploaded and made available on the diocese’s website, YouTube and Facebook.
Bishop Stephen Chow Sau Yan, SJ, reminds us not to underestimate the power of prayer and to give alms and care for our neighbours without ceasing.
When he officiated at a Eucharistic Adoration, Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing emphasised that God is present and he encouraged participants to pray to our loving God and tell him their thoughts.
During his General Audience on March 16, Pope Francis prayed with the faithful for Ukraine, forgiveness and peace, “Lord, forgive us for war… and put a halt to the violence.”
Amid the war and the pandemic, we see sufferings and turmoil, but we also see how people watch out for one another and care for their neighbours, and even for strangers; how the medical staff selflessly offer their services and make sacrifices; how the bishops and priests are determined to stay in Ukraine to pastor their sheep; how the sisters are dedicated to rescue Ukrainian refugees.
They shed light on humanity and bring a glimpse of light in darkness.
When we entrust all our hopes to God and trust in him, we shall find real peace. “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; everyone who searches finds; everyone who knocks will have the door opened” [Luke 11:9-10]. SE
