In 1918 the flu spread throughout the world.  500,000,000 individuals contracted the disease; an estimated 20,000,000 to 50,000,000 died of it.  In the time during the Great Mortality (1347 and after) one-third of Europe’s population succumbed to bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic plague.  So far 4 people have died in Pennsylvania of the coronavirus.  Now, it certainly could end up that many more will die.  Are we over-reacting and if we are, why?

Many brave and competent people are fighting the disease.  Precautions must be taken.  Prudence is required to protect people. At the same time, I see hysteria and over-reaction.  The reason is simply the fear of death.  Taking prudent action does not indicate the fear of death.  Hysteria does indicate the fear of death.

If fear of death is behind most of this (it does not take an astute observer to think it might be), the reason behind the fear is that most people no longer think that life is larger than this physical life.  A good devotion for this time would be the Gospel of John where Jesus extends eternal life to those who believe in Him.  The most important measures for the time are prayer, Scripture reading, and worship.

“In him was life, and the life was the light of men.”  (John 1: 4 ESV)

 

MJichael G. Tavella

March 24, 2020