In these times of health crisis, all pastors, church leaders, all churches and theological training institutes are under pressure. Pressure to find a technological solution to the need for support, discipleship, educational presence. Pressure also to speak a word that is relevant or wise. The number of "special podcasts" and biblical articles on this time of anxiety and hope have literally exploded! Most are excellent. But what word to have? CNEF has already spoken, with strength and wisdom. But this pressure to "have to speak" can quickly turn into an unhealthy contest to have the most memorable word of wisdom. So let us ask the question: "When should we speak?" Even more radical: "Should we even speak?" (Here we should take a long pause, a time of meditative silence.) Of course, Christians cannot remain completely silent.
In these times of health crisis, we are the bearers of the only hope that has sprouted in the world, that of death vanquished by death, that of resurrection in the heart of darkness. Easter is before us, time of waiting and faith, time of joy and life. In these times of health crisis, let us simply return to the great foundations of our faith. Christ reigns. By his death he defeated all the forces that are trying to destroy his work of creation and restoration. Let us simply be witnesses to the God who came into the world and who, through his life, opened the doors of hope and eternity. Shall we speak? Yes! But in a measured way, and by making choices. Let's make the choice of hope!
In these times of health crisis, let us be intercessors, in Christ, for a suffering world. Let us implore God to remove from this world this source of death, pain, and anxiety. God hears the prayers of his people. Let us go to him as representatives of humanity. Let us go to him, who prays with us, who brings our prayers to the Father. Pray for the nursing staff. Pray for those who continue to serve the human community and go unnoticed: housekeepers, letter carriers and delivery agents, supermarket workers, and everyone else. Pray for all those who are hospitalized or in pain. Finally, let us pray for each other, without ceasing, and ask God, our Father, our brother and our counselor, to make us his faithful witnesses in a world that is suffering.
Dr. Yannick IMBERT
Dean
Professor of Apologetics
Faculté Jean Calvin
President, éditions Kerygma
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