O Lord and Master of my life, do not permit the spirit of laziness and meddling, the lust for power and idle talk to come into me. (Prostration)

There is a saying that we do not know what we have until we lose it. Thanks to the coronavirus crisis and experience. We all view life and life's priorities very differently. It is almost common among people to want to take everything for granted. Things such as life, husband, wife, children, relatives, friends, co-workers, health, church, sacraments, opportunities, jobs, country, home, and even the many blessings bestowed by God. Unfortunately, it takes a horrific virus such as this to come to our senses and to the realization of who we are, how long we are to live on earth and to finally appreciate what we have been given by God.

More and more people refer to the coronavirus as the "invisible enemy." Truly the coronavirus is an invisible enemy that not only threatens but kills. We have come to realize recently how unprepared all of us were and still are. Desperate efforts are being made by the top scientists in the country to invent or discover new vaccines to combat it, while the government is taking draconian measures to protect the populace. Combating the coronavirus is called a war, a war that we need to win.

There is this saying that there is "always something good that comes out of something bad." I am not quite sure that everyone subscribes to this saying, however, I keep thinking of what happened to my parents and family during the civil war in Greece which ensued immediately following World War II. I recall as a child how devastated my family was and the impact that had on all of us.But as some of you who know the story, the bombing of our house eventually led us to America. And instead of the destruction of our family, by the grace of God, the family was saved. Something good coming out of something bad.

In the beginning, to speak of the prayer of Jesus, I invoke the aid of the All-Good and Almighty Jesus that He may assist my dullness. At the beginning to speak of the prayer of Jesus, I recall the righteous Symeon's utterance concerning the Lord: "Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against" (St. Luke 2:34).