Pope Francis writes a plan to resurrect in times of coronavirus

"Like the women at the tomb whose pain turned to joy after the Resurrection, Christians are also called to be joyful witnesses to Christ´s victory over death in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic," Pope Francis said in an editorial published April 17 by the Spanish magazine "Vida Nueva".

Pope Francis: a plan for resurrection.

In his editorial entitled "A plan for resurrection", Pope Francis also recognized that an invitation to joy "may seem like a provocation or a bad joke in the face of the serious consequences we are suffering due to the coronavirus (COVID-19)".

In this editorial, Pope Francis stated that the Lord is with us, removing the stones that paralyse us. In this regard, the Holy Father wrote:

Those who participate in the passion of the Lord, the passion of our brothers and sisters, even while living our own passion, our ears will hear the news of the Resurrection: we are not alone, the Lord precedes us on our journey by removing the stones that paralyse us.

If there is one thing we have been able to learn in all this time, it is that no one is saved alone. Borders are falling, walls are crumbling and all fundamentalist discourses are dissolving before an almost imperceptible presence that shows the fragility of which we are made.

We must not be paralysed.

Like the first disciples who went to the grave, we live surrounded by an atmosphere of sadness and uncertainty that makes us wonder:

• "Who will roll the stone at the entrance to the tomb for us?"
  
  
• "How will we cope with this situation that has completely overwhelmed us?"

In today´s precarious times, the stone in front of the tomb symbolizes the worry and anguish that "buries hope," especially for the elderly, the disabled, families struggling economically, as well as health workers and public officials who feel exhausted and overwhelmed.

The weight of that stone seems to have the last word.

Despite their suffering and fear, the women disciples of the Lord still went to the grave and did not let themselves be paralyzed by what was happening.

While many of the apostles fled, the women carried their spices and oils to anoint the body of Jesus, as did many men and women today who try to carry "the ointment of stewardship to care for and not risk the lives of others.

We saw the anointing spread by doctors, nurses, warehouse workers, cleaners, caregivers, transporters, security forces, volunteers, priests, nuns, grandparents and educators and so many others who were encouraged to give all they had to bring some healing, calm and soul to the situation.

God never gives up, even in the midst of pain.

The good news of Christ´s resurrection is what brings hope and joy to all and shows that our actions, our anointing, our dedication, our vigilance and accompaniment in all possible ways at this time, are not and will not be in vain.

God never abandons his people; he is always close to them, especially when pain is most present.

Antibodies of solidarity against the coronavirus.

The current coronavirus pandemic has also highlighted the need to unite the entire human family and the only way to conquer the coronavirus is through the antibodies of solidarity.

We cannot afford to write present and future history with our backs turned to the suffering of so many. It is the Lord who will ask us again: "Where is your brother" and, in our capacity to respond, may the soul of our peoples be revealed, that reservoir of hope, faith and charity in which we were engendered and which, for so long, we have anaesthetized or silenced.