The Good News

Every day, we turn on the news to receive information about what is happening in the world. And, unfortunately, we see that there is lots of negative and sad news. Most of the TV channels compete with each other to see who can present more bad news about the world and especially about the Coronavirus. It is not a surprise to us because today the media can sell more bad news than good news.

The news – good and bad – is part of our daily life, but we should not concentrate only on the bad news and especially on the Coronavirus. Instead we should continue our prayers for all the sick people who are here with us and for those who already departed from this world and ask our Almighty God to pour out His mercy upon His people and bring healing to all nations.

The Good News is that God loves us; He loves us with unconditional love. In the Gospel of St. John, we read, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life” (John 3:16). This Good News should help us concentrate on the fact that the Creator of this universe loves us and cares about us.

In 1988 the earthquake struck Armenia killing over 30,000 people. A father left his wife securely at home and rushed to the school where his son was supposed to be. The school had collapsed. At that moment, the father remembered the promise he had made to his son: “No matter what, I’ll always be there for you!” and tears began to fill his eyes. He started to dig in the ruins. Other parents who were there said: “It’s too late!” – “They are dead!” – “You can’t help!” – “Go home!” – “Come on, face reality, there’s nothing you can do!”

The police came and told him to go home. He didn’t pay attention and continued to dig, 12 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours and in the 38th hour he heard his son’s voice. The man screamed his son’s name, “Armand!” He heard back, “Dad? it’s me, Dad! I told the other kids not to worry. I told them that if you were alive, you would save us. You promised, ‘No matter what, I’ll always be there for you.’ You did it, Dad! There are 14 of us left out of 33, Dad. When the building collapsed, it made a wedge, like a triangle, and it saved us.” The father answered, “Come on out boy!” “No, Dad! Let the other kids come out first because I know you’ll get me. No matter what, I know you’ll be there for me.”

Of course, this story about the father and son is very inspiring; but we should not forget that beside our biological father, we also have a Heavenly Father who gave us the same promise: “Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you”(Deuteronomy 31:6).

Dear Faithful, this difficult time will finally end and become history. Let us increase our faith, be patient and pray without ceasing. After the rain and clouds, the sun always comes out. In His time, God will shine His mercy on us. Amen

With prayers,
Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan