Editor’s note: The Diocese of Evansville Office of Catechesis has provided the following poem by Sharon Burger of Jasper.
To win against this present invisible foe that is now amongst us and a threat
We equip ourselves with faith, and trust….the lessons our ancestors taught us to never forget
Now, we go into combat and find refuge by staying safe at home
Yet through all of this isolation from society, we are never alone
God’s promise is that he will be with us always and in all our days
Let us lean on Him for all things and especially during this pandemic craze
As we wait in the spirit of hope…for this danger to subside
We pray for strength and endurance, as we manage this challenging rollercoaster ride
So when the time is right for families and friends to gather once again around the table
Let us remember those who put their life on the line to make our world stable
In our hometown, anywhere, and in any place
Let us look forward to the time when we will again be able to meet face to face
In the whole realm of this experience, when we think this has to be the worst
We can look to models of faith through all the ages who lived by the motto to seek God first
Let us pray that all citizens of this world will open their hearts to allow God to enter
So that we can know the joy of living during a time in which God is front and center
Let that be among our prayers as we lament and pray for God’s protective hand
To be the light in our darkness….and that with His help and guidance….together we will stand
COVID 19 – we can turn it around
Read Psalm 91 – in which our refuge, our rock, and our strength can be found
During this time of uncertainty and in facing the unknown
Let us acknowledge the risk, the loss of life; and the great sacrifices that are being shown
As we move forward with trust and hope, a power on which we can always rely
A visible regard for others is being molded…to that we can testify
So let’s reach out to others in a way that we can
Let’s be a bridge for a better time….when the dimness becomes a bright light again
Sharon Burger is a member of Holy Family Parish in Jasper.