Global Impact

America Magazine’s Kevin Clarke continued his reports on Covid-19 affecting other parts of the world. Following is a look at Lebanon.

“We are dealing with one crisis at a time,” says Dr. Rita Rhayem from @Caritaslb “and right now we’re thinking about coronavirus, and once this pandemic is over, we are going to have to face the huge reality of the economic crisis.” https://t.co/43mjlGcp96 via @americamag

— Kevin Clarke (@ClarkeAtAmerica) May 21, 2020

Easter Joy

The fact that the Easter festival has been given 50 days indicates the magnitude of celebrating it with joy. After 5 weeks human celebration easily begins to flag. The pandemic unites people more closely with the first disciples than one might think: they were joyless before the Risen One visited them.

Editor in Chief of America Media Jesuit Matt Malone notes that faith flowing from Easter infuses people with new purpose.

Easter joy gives us the faith to stand in our present, on the bedrock of the past, and face our future: a future of our choosing yet also chosen for us, @Americaeditor writes in his 'Of Many Things' column. https://t.co/L53BskDSJl

— America Magazine (@americamag) May 20, 2020

Upcoming

Some locales celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension on 21May; more will celebrate on 24May. Thinking Faith offers archived resources: one surveys the Gospel of Matthew, in which Jesus’ closing words to his disciples speak to contemporary people; and 

"Ignatius was no sentimentalist. If he used kingly language to speak of Jesus it was quite simply because he knew Jesus as a King." Why does @DamianHoward8 think this is key our understanding of the #Ascension? https://t.co/B519mOfJZM

— Thinking Faith (@ThinkingFaith) May 20, 2020

Without Are Within

Tuesday Christiane Amanpour opened her segment: “When you think about doctors without borders or Medecins Sans Frontieres, you probably think of war-torn countries. …But right now, they are helping with coronavirus in the United States. And few parts need it more than the Navajo Nation.”

It and numerous other peoples contend with the pandemic without vital resources to do so. Catholic aid agencies continue helping.

Humanitarian assistance is not a job that can be phoned in during a stay-at-home lockdown. “You have to be face-to-face,” Jennifer Overton says. “We can’t forget about all the people that are vulnerable and all the people that are counting on us." https://t.co/5eHlOpKnjs

— America Magazine (@americamag) May 20, 2020

“Enjoy Silence”

Three questions and two minutes with Jesuit Fr. Adolfo Nicolás, who died today.

In 2016, I asked Adolfo Nicolas, SJ, what he would tell someone just starting out in the life of prayer. His answer: "Enjoy silence." Here is two minutes with a great Jesuit priest and spiritual master. https://t.co/iKdi3lbZc9

— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) May 20, 2020

Today’s 2nd Reading

The figure of St. Paul dominates the latter portion of the Acts of the Apostles. Mission dominated his life.

Paul's masterful speech at the Areopagus, which we hear in today's first reading, has been called the climax to Acts of the Apostles and been recognised by the Church as a model of mission. https://t.co/YESKaLUoYV pic.twitter.com/rGkIdqhkqp

— Thinking Faith (@ThinkingFaith) May 20, 2020

In Memoriam

Jesuits and their friends and colleagues mourn the death of their former General Superior.

The prayer card for Fr. Nicolás, @TheJesuits' 30th Superior General, who died today at age 84. Please remember him in your prayers. https://t.co/cth276exHr pic.twitter.com/DeFxMNQodn

— Jesuit News (@jesuitnews) May 20, 2020

Still Around

From one place to others the coronavirus spread into a pandemic. While it shows signs of easing in Europe it grips other countries, many with fewer resources.

Global report: Covid-19 grips world despite lockdown easing in Europe https://t.co/D33hOZgSTV

— The Guardian (@guardian) May 19, 2020

More on Anniversary Week and Year

Also contains audio of Fr Joshtrom Kureethadam’s remarks.

Fr Joshtrom Kureethadam, an official at the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, reflects on the upcoming 5th anniversary of #PopeFrancis' encyclical Laudato Si'. #LaudatoSi5 https://t.co/TNCdn5tql5

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 19, 2020

Pope Francis at Tomb of Pope St. John Paul II

Pope Francis celebrates St. John Paul II centenary: ‘God sent his people a prophet.’ https://t.co/DZwAJfPhyj

— America Magazine (@americamag) May 18, 2020

"You are ignoring us”

The “‘structural collapse’ of the Amazon Region” is more possible, say the bishops of that region. Pan-Amazonian Ecclesial Network’s Cardinal-President, Cardinal-Vice President, and its Secretary signed a statement made public “early Monday morning.” While many in the world consider how the world can be different after the pandemic, in the Amazon region much of the same activity seems to continue apace.

The Bishops of Latin America call for urgent action to avoid a humanitarian and environmental tragedy in the #Amazonia region.https://t.co/wzqhpQYcIB

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 18, 2020

Kinship of Poetry and Religion

Poetry strings words in ways that pack more meaning. In turns poetry touches deeper parts of humans. Mid-20^th-Century poets included sisters and nuns. Nick Ripatrazone has written about some of them in America Magazine. He used their verses to illustrate. The contribution of Mr. Ripatrazone reminds that God may be found in every created thing.

All these sisters—Mary Madeleva, Mary Bernetta Quinn, Jessica Powers, Mary Gilbert, Maura Eichner and Mary Agnes—reveal a notable midcentury Catholic literary renaissance: women religious poets publishing widely.https://t.co/yXM2iyEoXw

— America Magazine (@americamag) May 18, 2020

Centenary of Birth

Today marks the centenary of the birth of St. Pope John Paul II. Vatican News reported tributes “are pouring in” from around the world.

Tributes are pouring in to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of Pope Saint #JohnPaulII, including from the Chief Rabbi of Poland and the US Ambassador to the Holy See. https://t.co/oFT0SdKd9x

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 18, 2020

Coping Assistance

Many regions observe May to deepen awareness of mental health. Does religion have its role to play in mental health? Jesuit Dr. Roger Dawson examined the process of coping and religion’s role. He concluded that “religion can meet important needs for intimacy, meaning, self-actualisation and spiritual fulfilment. Those are outcomes that every mental health professional can appreciate and will want to promote.”

Perhaps more people than ever will be thinking about this question during #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek (18-24 May) this year. @drrogerdawson asks: is religion good for your mental health? https://t.co/YoZ8AVAjer pic.twitter.com/ozy5dHCSLh

— Thinking Faith (@ThinkingFaith) May 18, 2020

Interested in more resources?

We are here for you: if you're struggling to find peace of mind and heart in this time of crisis, find prayerful support in resources for #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek from @ThinkingFaith, @prayasugo and @JesuitsBritain. https://t.co/VwVLl2RjeY pic.twitter.com/1W9KME6cVR

— Thinking Faith (@ThinkingFaith) May 18, 2020

Kids’ Dreaming

N atGeo writer Rebecca Renner chatted with a neuroscientist about kid’s and their dreams during this time. Anxiety drives many of them. Parents help by reassuring children and give them control by encouraging them to draw their dreams.

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Wiki-image Yellow Column by “Arntor | CC BY-SA 4.0"

Conversion is “Hard Work”

In the recent issue of the Plough Quarterly digital issue, entitled “Regeneration,” Bill McKibben focused on that aspect of conversion. His subtitle: “With Covid-19, we’re glimpsing the kinds of transformation we need to tackle climate change.” Both disease and climate are interrelated.

What do humans want to happen? For example: “in those cities where the sky is suddenly clear and blue, people might decide that they’d like to keep it that way instead of reverting immediately to the previous haziness.” Will people make that and other things happen? Or “will we pick up where we left off?”

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Wiki-image Drought by “www.tomascastelazo.com / Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0"

Perceiving with Hearts

During this pandemic-caused deprivation of Eucharistic communion every reminder that God in Christ by Holy Spirit sustains every person is welcome. The Eucharist is no commodity; it is divine Presence. America Magazine contributor Father Terrance W. Klein observed that “our bishops cannot claim greater authority over the Eucharist than [their predecessors] the apostles did.” Indeed, no one can.

What is God doing for our good during this time? Fr. Klein asked,  Are believers in “a sacramental wilderness because here [God] intends to speak to our hearts?”

We are in a sacramental desert, but we can still perceive the Holy Spirit https://t.co/BXq3NE4dyq

— America Magazine (@americamag) May 17, 2020

Loving Is Mission

The Fourth Gospel exploits words and their connotations. Loving and being loved is mission. Holy Spirit guides and shines light to participate in the mission inaugurated by Jesus.

#PopeFrancis dedicates his catechesis on the Sixth Sunday of Easter to the gratuitousness of God’s love and to the gift of the Holy Spirit. #ReginaCoeli https://t.co/kAECEybxrS

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 17, 2020

Laudato Si! Week

Reminder: it began yesterday.

We're celebrating Laudato Si' week from 16-24 May, so if you've never actually read Pope Francis' encyclical, now's the time! https://t.co/jxO0BPqpdZ pic.twitter.com/o673842gkQ

— Thinking Faith (@ThinkingFaith) May 16, 2020

Now an Anniversary Year

Not only is this #LaudatoSi week, but now there will be a special year, beginning May 24. https://t.co/JAVri2wxtt

— Barb Fraze (@bfraze) May 16, 2020