Fr. Chidube Ubili, OP.
- The Corona Virus Disease first broke out about December 2019 (COVID-19). Initially, it was regarded as a Chinese problem and therefore referred to as an epidemic. Many people didn’t pity the Chinese because of their strange meal of rather unimaginable raw rodents, for which COVID-19 was like their inevitable punishment. But, sooner than later, COVID-19 began to “visit” other countries, especially Europe and North America. As we write, Italy, Spain, France, US, UK etc. have all been humbled. So, within a short period of two months, COVID-19 promoted itself from being a (Chinese) national problem to a world (intercontinental) problem. The World Health Organization (WHO) appropriately branded it a “pandemic”.
As the disease was ravaging Europe, we in Nigeria took solace in our unsubstantiated escapist theory of immunity by our tropical weather and black genetic composition. By now, that we were wrong is not arguable.
- The weeks following Tuesday, 26th February 2020 when the Italian who became the Nigerian Corona Virus index case arrived the Country and Thursday, 28th February when he has officially declared a Corona Virus patient and quarantined, the Country has been enveloped by Fear.
- Initially, it was the ordinary FEAR of finally facing the reality of COVID-19 in our own land. Then, within the last two weeks, the ordinary fear turned into a Hyper-FEAR, as our hitherto complacent authorities and agencies began to reel out figures of confirmed infected cases, which are highly contradicted by random observation of many unaccounted factors and parameters.
Now, the entire country is in a PANIC MODE, as our deficit of health management resources and facilities have become glaringly evident beyond doubt, political manoeuvring and blame games: inadequate medical personnel, low professional expertise, sub-standard medical facilities, poor health management system and structures, weak disaster management procedures and processes etc.
- As the entire citizenry faces the ugly reality in an unfortunate avoidable Panic Mode, the Nigerian Christian ought to be in a better position to turn around the trend with the armour of Faith to be able to withstand the wiles of COVID-19 (cf. Eph.6: 11). But, what is easily observable is that most Christians are unfortunately in the “higher gear of the Panic Mode” than others. This is demonstrated by such denial statement: “It’s not my portion,” blame the Devil: “The Devil is a Liar”, the spiritualisation of a physical/material reality: “Depart from me in Jesus Name”. It is for these and similar reasons that a cross-section of the Christian Community across the Country have defied all rational measures to curtail the explosive spread of the COVID-19. As if to promote “mass murder” in the guise of faith, they have continued to gather in large congregations, defying the norm of social distancing to drastically limit the spread of COVID-19.
- Many Christians are not only embarrassed but also terribly humiliated and even disappointed that despite their firm faith in Jesus, the Lord and charismatic, prophetic decrees and declarations against the outbreak and spread of COVID-19 in the Country, it still happened. This is a tacit betrayal of the “nakedness of the modern brand of Nigerian Christianity”. It is so shallow, lacking depth and inconsistent with the Gospel Life and Ministry of Jesus. This modern brand of Nigerian Christianity has nothing to do with the mystery of human suffering which is not meant to be solved, but to be lived, following the example of Christ. To be a Christian is to have a rosy life in which the Christian has complete authority over every affair of human life and the authority is necessary to have things always good, pleasant and favourable. In this rather distorted Christianity, no evil, including sickness or disease shall befall a Christian, “being a child of God”. The best of what life is has to offer must always be available and accessible to have the experience of “heaven on earth”. Therefore, Modern Nigerian Christianity negates and abhors pain and suffering, even against the conditional invitation of Jesus: “Anyone who wants to be a follower of mine must deny (forget) oneself, take up one’s cross and follow me” (Matt. 16:24). Modern Christianity rejects this injunction, which makes the “Cross”, as life’s inevitable pains and sufferings, the essential basis of following Christ – the Christian Life. Hence, the modern Christian prefers to follow a “Cross-less Christ” – Jesus without the Cross. This is the fundamental tenet of the “Prosperity Gospel”.
- Traditional Christianity (TC), on the other hand, teaches the Christian that suffering and pain are part of the reality of being human. TC prepares the Christian to face adversities with FAITH that keeps believing and trusting God in all situations, the HOPE that keeps expecting that God will surely fulfill His promise in due time and the active CHARITY that perseveres in good works as witnessing to the presence of God. With this Faith, Hope and Charity, the traditional Christian tolerates the Evil, including sickness and pain beyond one’s control with patience and endurance. This is possible because TC focuses attention on Jesus on the Cross – The Crucifix, as the fullness of the meaning of life because therein is the ” greatest love that gave (emptied) one’s life for others” (cf. Jn. 15:13); not taking or gaining optimum life from others, as in the Prosperity Gospel.
- The COVID-19 is an opportunity for the Nigerian Christian Community to evaluate itself and examine what it truly understand as the “true unadulterated Christian message” and review its focus, in both Life (Witnessing) and Ministry (Proclamation).
The prevailing Hyper-Fear and Panic Mode among Christians over COVID-19 points to a highly corrupted and misdirected Christianity that failed to prepare its followers to face and endure suffering, pain and adversity with faith, hope and charity.
There is no need to be afraid. Indeed, Fear is useless (Cf. Lk. 8:50). Fear, which connotes the absence of God, is a tool of the Devil for tormenting those who do not trust God (Cf. Heb.2: 14-15; Rev. 2:10).
- All we need now are the Four Cs: Concern, Caution, Courage and Confidence.
1st C – CONCERN: We should be concerned about the suffering and pain in the world in general and around us, in particular. Dismissive statements such as “it’s not my portion” or “I reject it in Jesus Name” are not only insensitive; both also mark of disconnection from the universal humanity of all peoples.
2nd C – CAUTION: We must be ready and willing and with due diligence and discretion do all that we can to mitigate, eradicate or limit human suffering including the rampaging COVID-19 pandemic. All actions are taken as individuals and in partnership with others to save or preserve life constitute what traditional Christian Theology calls “What Lies In Human Power”. For the COVID-19, it includes such measures as regular handwashing with soap and running water or cleaning with an alcohol-based sanitizer, Keep hands-off the face (No touching of the face), No handshake or hugging, Stay at home, Social distancing (Away from the Crowd) etc.
Any Christian who negates, resists and rejects any of these and others measures meant to promote the common good and wellbeing of all, not only lacks caution but also plays God who is above reason and above the norm and principles of self-preservation.
3rd C – COURAGE: After we have diligently and devoutly fulfilled “what lies in human power”, we commit our safety and security to the grace and mercy of God by Prayer. We pray to God; Our Origin, Father and Creator, imploring Him to come to our aid and save us from impending calamity. As we call Him, “Abba, Father”, He dispels away any spirit of fear or timidity and fills us with the courage we need to withstand and overcome adversity, pain and sorrow of the moment.
Let us acknowledge our sins and humble ourselves before Him, as David did with the words of Psalm 51. And let us formally invite Him to protect us from the devastating effect of COVID-19 with the words of Psalm 91; with particular attention to vs. 3-6 and vs.9-10.
4th C – CONFIDENCE: The courage of the awareness of being sons/daughters calling God, “Abba Father”, in the Name of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit gives us the confidence we need to persevere in worship and waiting for deliverance. But, He may also as He deems fit, decide that we witness to Him with our life unto death. Then, He will give us the enabling grace for such witnessing, which is Matrydom, as in the case Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Dan.3: 16-18) and John The Baptist (Matt. 14:6-11).
- PRAYER: God our Father, against our wishful thinking and illusive denials, the dreaded COVID-19 is here with us. Our Country is least prepared to face its devastating effect. Please do not abandon us at this perilous time. If you do, then we will all perish to the mockery of those who never regarded our faith in you. Though we’ve been majorly unfaithful, please forgive us for if thou should mark our guilt, no one would survive (cf. Ps.130:3) But, in you is the fullness of mercy and redemption (cf.Ps.130:7). —Therefore, open the treasures of your love and mercy to forgive us and divert the killer-effect of COVID-19 away from us. Amen.
—Let not the obvious failure of our leaders past and present to do the needful in terms of provision of healthcare resources and materials justify any disaster upon your people. Amen.
—Let Nigerians be specially favoured in your saving grace over COVID-19, such that it will obvious that “its the Lord’s doing, marvellous in our sight”(Ps.118: 23). Amen.
We pray through Christ, Our Lord. AMEN.