Sunday without a Holy Mass in Amman

It is a return to the previous situation. As the bells of the churches ring without the believers answering the call to prayer… everything is acceptable in compliance with the homeland’s call! In a spirit of acceptance and respect, we received last Sunday instructions to suspend Sunday Holy Masses in churches in Amman Governorate and Zarqa Governorate. As many faithful--who are committed to Sunday Holy Masses--are pained by this, the situation is acceptable because it falls in the interest of the homeland, especially after news reports indicated that a number of worshippers had been infected by the pandemic in one of the churches of the capital, Amman. Consequently, we have resumed live-streamed transmission of Holy Masses so that people can follow them at home. It is definitely a measure in the interest of the homeland as it is facing nowadays a fierce onslaught of the coronavirus which infected every part of this vast world, and wreaked havoc on millions of people, including the infected to whom we pray for their quick recovery or to those who passed away where to whom we pray so that they would have eternal rest in the Kingdom of God. Furthermore, the economic devastation caused by this virus has been great and its aggravating repercussions continue to rise on daily bases, especially with reference to the increasing rates of unemployment and poverty in the world. We must, at the local and international levels, not give in to despair and frustration, as this is part of the history of humanity that is proceeding in a way similar to a ship heading to the port of safety.This ship faced several wars and natural disasters including vicious viruses that ended the lives of millions of people, which became memories of a distant past. We must renew confidence in the noble and courageous efforts undertaken by our governmental, security and health agencies, as they have been continuing their unstinting efforts until the time when this virus leaves our land and our world. Any citizen may not be able to contribute to finding an effective vaccine or drug to eradicate the virus, but the responsibility of “protecting the people is essential”. An inevitable collection of new measures has been brought into force, namely wearing masks and gloves, washing hands, limiting social customs to those with a direct relationship, and refraining from gatherings. As for the responsibility of scientists, intellectuals, men and women working in laboratories, we pray to God to guide them and inspire them to find the necessary vaccines in an atmosphere that avoids political competition between countries. So what is important now is not which head of state would take the lead in announcing the manufacture of a national vaccine that will be used worldwide, since what is important is serving humanity. Pope Francis has said that the vaccine should be availed to the poor rather being monopolized. He said, “It would be sad if, for the vaccine for COVID-19, priority were to be given to the richest! It would be sad if this vaccine were to become the property of this nation or another, rather than universal and for all.” It is a return to the previous situation. As the bells of the churches ring without the believers answering the call to prayer… everything is acceptable in compliance with the homeland’s call!