Can We Thank God for the Coronavirus?
Residents in San Francisco, CA (source)
Is there much to be thankful for during a pandemic?
Over the weekend we watched World War Z and were consoled by the thought that it could be a lot worse. Walking outside (without worrying about zombies), talking to old and new neighbors (from a distance of six feet, of course) reminded us of the way in which we often come together during a shared calamity.
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National crises remind us that we are all in this together, and motivate us to reach out and care for (and get to know!) our neighbors. During the Great Depression, people who had resources gave to those who didn’t. Families came together to care for each other; and nonprofits, faith communities, businesses and the government went to extraordinary lengths to address human suffering. Fun fact: our sister company, Cave Pictures Publishing, is releasing a graphic novel in early summer which places the Biblical book of Ruth in the Great Depression. More on that in a future newsletter.
When we have to respond to a difficult situation as a nation, we are reminded that we have more in common than we have in disagreement. Even though partisan sniping has been part of the coronavirus story, both Congress and the Administration have acted promptly, and in the end, together. There are similarities to our response post-9/11. Yes, we had ideological disagreements over such measures as the Patriot Act or whether the Iraq invasion as a response was justified. But we were reminded that the terrorists were no respecters of persons. We lost together, bled together and stood together. We are all in the same boat, in a sense, whether we float in red or blue waters.
When faced with an enemy that can lead to our death or the death of a friend or family member, we are forced to reassess what really matters in life. In World War Z, it was Gerry (played by Brad Pitt)’s family that mattered most to him. In fact, it was his witness of the human collateral of other disasters that motivated him to pull back and invest the remainder of his life in his family.
Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) and his family in World War Z
The imminence and universality of death also forces us to ponder our eternal existence and, for some, to reflect on God’s existence. We have all read about Tom and Rita Hank’s infection, which drew me to his prayer in the upcoming WW2 film Greyhound, the script for which he wrote and in which he stars: “Dear Lord, let your holy angel be with me. That the evil foe may have no power over me. Into Your hands I commend myself, my body and my soul. Amen.”
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C. S. Lewis was invited by the BBC to give a series of “Broadcast Talks” during WW2 to remind the British people that their actions in opposition to the evils of the Nazi regime were sanctioned by the reality of a moral universe in which we all live.
Turning to the Almighty has always been a national exercise during times of need. Some may dismiss President Trump’s call to prayer over the coronavirus as pandering to his base, but the National Day of Prayer calling on Americans "to turn to God in prayer and meditation" was designated by the United States Congress formally in 1952 during the heat of the Cold War. In fact, Congress simply codified our instinct to turn to God at times of need. This instinct has been present since the nation’s founding, when the Second Continental Congress called the country to prayer and fasting in 1775 and1783; President John Adams did likewise in 1798 and 1799.
These observations are not meant to diminish the suffering and tragic loss of life that people will experience. We may not understand why an all-powerful, all-loving God allows such tragedies that result in human suffering and loss of life. But is there any reason to be thankful for such suffering?
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Paul Thomas’s film Magnolia opens with a sequence of seemingly unrelated tragic events that all point (literally) to Exodus 8:2, the ultimate climax of the film. The inciting incident with Biblical proportions shows how everyone's response to tragedy can be healing or unhealthy. It is a parable for the coronavirus plague that we face today.
As a Christian, I am reminded of the challenging passage in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians Church, verses 4:4-7: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
The question is not whether there will be calamity in our lives. God certainly allows, and at times even causes, catastrophe. The only real question is how we will respond when it comes.