Next, each one of you is to have a separate cell, situated as the lie of the land you propose to occupy may dictate, and allotted by disposition of the Prior with the agreement of the other brothers, or the more mature among them.

– Rule of St. Albert No. 6

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When the COVID-19 started to aggressively spread in the country, President Rodrigo Duterte decided to put the whole of Metro Manila on community quarantine; meaning, no body coming in or out of the region; meaning, almost 13 million people stranded in the region or a million or so people unable to go to work because they live outside the region.

The next day, the president decided to put the whole of Luzon (with a population of almost 55 million) on enhanced community quarantine. This is worse because people are now actually not allowed to leave their homes except to purchase basic goods like food and medicine.

Stay at home was the mantra, and this was to quell the spread of the virus. Yet, many people, especially those who have nothing to eat when they can’t work, decided to go out of their homes anyway, regardless if they have to walk several kilometers to reach their workplace, or if they would be arrested, abused, and manhandled by police officers in the guise of protecting the welfare of the “people”. They need to work because they need to eat.

As the lockdown approached its second year, people started to get used to the uncertain solution imposed by the government, and people are becoming more comfortable staying at home, especially those who have the means to live despite the limitations of the lockdown. Still, majority, who live by the day, are peace-less, uncertain of their tomorrow.

With this, we are challenged that while we are comfortable in our own physical cells where we could have an encounter with God, our spiritual cells also lie in the people who are suffering and who are most affected by the virus and the consequent solution by the government that seems to increase their burden, rather than ease their anxieties.

How do I bring the kaginhawahan of Christ to those who are badly affected by the pandemic?

John 20:14
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, give us the courage to be your instrument of peace and comfort to those who are troubled and are experiencing so much difficulties amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Let us be the channel of your love, O, Lord. Amen.