My dear brothers and sisters,
To say that the last few months have been a challenge would be quite an understatement. It seems like one thing after another has caused pain and suffering both to ourselves and our loved ones. Regulations change from day to day, social unrest continues to rack our country, and many of our loved ones have suffered from or are currently suffering from Covid-19.
Prayer is the best and only solution that we have. Turning to and entrusting our lives to our God in a deeper way than we ever have before, to the point of knowing that no matter what God will see us through is what will get us through.
I, myself, am currently going through my own challenges. On Tuesday evening, I unknowingly came into contact with someone whose test results came back the next day as positive for Covid-19. After having heard the news of the contact, I immediately quarantined myself. On Thursday, out of an abundance of caution, I did the rapid antibody test as well as the swab test. The rapid test came back positive for IGM antibodies which means that I contracted Covid-19 recently. The swab test results will come back in several days from now.
As a result, I will be quarantining until July 29th. On a positive note, I currently do not have any serious symptoms. I will, however, be staying in my home to keep everyone else safe. Let us continue to keep each other in prayer. God is giving all of us a daily opportunity to give control over our lives to Him. Let us do so and allow all of our struggles to be pegs in the ladder that will one day lead us to paradise with Him.
Your Servant in Christ,
Fr. Matthew Johnston
Archbishop Gregory Aymond wrote today: I applaud Governor Edwards for inviting us to prayer and fasting Monday through Wednesday of this coming week, July 20-22. I encourage people of all faiths to pray for those who have died from the Coronavirus, for the healing of those who are sick at the present time, for caregivers and healthcare workers on the front lines, and for our protection throughout the world and particularly in our own state that the virus may come under control. We know that God hears our prayers, and we must cooperate with him in doing our part to make certain that we do not spread the virus by adhering to the governor’s call for masks and social distancing. With the governor, I also invite all people of faith and goodwill to fast on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. By abstaining from a meal it becomes a prayer as we by our actions say “God I hunger more for your protection and our safety than I do for food. Come to our help!”