REMEMBER THE SICK

Young Adult Scripture Reflection

DAY THREE: REMEMBERING THE SICK
(Joe Oliveri)

Scripture:
Romans 8:18-27

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about
to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children
of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one
who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and
will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has
been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have
the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our
bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is
seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but
that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart,
knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the
will of God.

Reflection
In times like the present, there seems to be very little we can do and not much we can say. It’s not uncommon to feel helpless during all this craziness. Though a young adult, I fit into a vulnerable health category. Being someone who could experience severe symptoms from the virus, it is also unnerving to not truly know how I could be affected. This makes me afraid. Fear too can be a type of sickness. Like an illness, fear spreads easily and rarely does anyone just get over it. The fear I have personally felt and the fear I have
seen in others is the fear of the unknown. It’s crazy to think we are a society with vast knowledge and expertise in solving so many problems, and then one unknown comes along and we all become disoriented and put into a feeling of helplessness.

Even through all the fear of the unknown, I believe there is hope. For one thing, this is not the first health crisis the world has faced. Century after century, humanity continues on.
Even more importantly, we have hope that comes from our faith in the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ and in the kingdom he promised.

Paul tells the Romans that the current suffering is nothing compared to the glory to be revealed. What amazes me about this scripture and what brings me relief is the insight that Paul does not just want us to look on the bright side. No, our hope is in something, or better, someone, who is beyond what we can see. It is in a reality yet to be revealed. It is beyond what
we see!

I realize that hope has been spun in modern culture as a kind of “grasping at thin air.”
But, I believe Christ teaches us through Paul that hope is not air to be grasped at but air to be breathed in. We all might have an outcome in mind – for the sick to get better, for the world to
get back to “normal.” But, in light of this scripture, we can we challenge ourselves to respond to the unknown by looking beyond even these earthly resolutions to something greater. When we do this, we no longer grasp at thin air but breath in the air of hope. In other words, we breath in the Holy Spirit and allow the Holy Spirit to dwell within us.

If you are quarantining yourself, then you are already helping others not to get sick in the first place. That’s about as much of the outcome we can control. The rest is unknown. So as
each day goes by, we ought to patiently hope for the glory to come. A glory never seen before. A glory which pertains to our true good, our greatest good.

Reflection Questions
1. What has been one thing you have seen or heard that has given you hope lately?
2. What does “For in hope we are saved.” mean to you? Does it evoke calmness or worry
in you? How does it call you to act as a Christian in this time?

Joe Oliveri is the Director of Alumni Relations at Saint Meinrad Archabbey. He has a master’s in Pastoral Ministry from the University of Dayton and lives in New Albany, IN with his two cats. He and his fiancée, Meghan, await their wedding day this summer.