By The Right Reverend Leopold Frade III, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida, Our Little Roses Ministries
“You shall not be afraid of any terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day;
Of the plague that stalks in the darkness,
Nor of the sickness that lays waste at mid-day.
A thousand shall fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand,
But it shall not come near you.”
Psalm 91:5-7
What marvelous and comforting words from the psalmist assuring us that those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High and abide under the shadow of the Almighty will be delivered from this overwhelming virus devastating our communities. It is indeed a wonderful reassurance for us who trust God at this time of pestilence. What we are living during this Lenten season is not new for our planet, even in our recent memory we have lived other dreadful challenges.
Yes, we are told to stay home, avoid crowds, wash our hands often and protect others if we sneeze or cough. We should do all of those things but there is one more thing we should do and that is to dwell in the shelter of the Most High and abide under the shadow of the Almighty. God has not gone to sleep and continues caring for us even in our old age. Isaiah 46:4 says: “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
As you care for yourself and your loved ones close to you do not forget the girls and staff of Our Little Roses Home for Abandoned, Abused and Orphaned girls in San Pedro Sula, Honduras where I volunteer year-round since my retirement. I am happy to inform you that all the girls are healthy so far. They are going through the same trauma. sacrifice and challenges and doing all that is required for them.
Please pray for us and we will be praying for every one of you. Trust God and follow the instructions from the health experts but never forget that God is watching over you: “So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
-Isaiah 41:10