by Ptr. Art Calaguas
Shalom.
How things can change. Early December, it certainly looked like the infection numbers were going south in a big way. And then all of a sudden we’re in the midst of an Omicron tsunami.
The outlook back in early December was hopeful. Our extended family became brave enough to try eating out in the restaurants of Robinsons Magnolia, UP Town Center and Vertis North. Everyone was wearing masks, except of course when eating, but unmistakably, the mood among the people was hopeful, while being cautious.
An then reality struck. Almost all adults of our entire extended household turned out positive RT-PCR swab tests. And my eldest granddaughter, Caris returned a Covid+ test.
All the rooms in the house were apportioned so that we could all have some quarantine/isolation facilities including separate T&B. We consulted a pediatrician for the kids, my own cardiologist, a pulmonary specialist and an internist for the supportive medication we would take. Adults had a regimen of Ivermectin, antibiotics, including Azithromycin, paracetamol, and lots of Vitamin C, D, Zinc, etc. I turned from being asymptomatic in early January to having fevers in the 38/39-Celsuis degree range. Others just had sore throat and cough, some malaise and weakness. But overall, the symptoms were all mild and manageable. Thanks be to God! I cannot imagine if the Covid-19 infection had not remained in our upper respiratory tracts and invaded our lungs. After a few days, everyone was firmly in the road to recovery, led by the grandkids! But my daughter and son-in-law were closely monitoring my fever situation. Thankfully, my SpO2 blood oxygen level remained very high and when my fever broke, the recovery was continuous.
Our entire household including the kasambahays and driver were fully vaccinated. Only Miriam had the booster at that time as health workers had the priority shots. A combination of prayers, the “mild” effects of Omicron, our vaccination status and the Ivermectin and other supportive medications all contributed to our recovery. I particularly want to thank all those who prayed for our family to recover. Your prayers worked mightily! Maraming salamat po!
I firmly believe that God’s ever-flowing grace was with our family despite the fact that practically all of us were infected. Perhaps, things get to turn for the worse before it gets better. Sooner or later, this Pandemic will end. There are only 24 letters in the Greek alphabet, with Omicron being the 15th letter. If we just continue down the list, what are left are Pi, Rho, Sigma, Tau, Upsilon, Phi, Chi, Psi and Omega.
It may be appropriate to once more review the usage of “Light” as a metaphor our Lord Jesus uses for himself. We have seen it in the Torah and the Prophets, now we can observe its usage also in the Writings, particularly in the Psalms. There are around twenty occurrences of the Hebrew word אֹ֣ור (“or”, light) in the Psalms. Some of these verses are quite familiar to us.
King David declared in Psalm 27:1 that “the LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear (ESV)?” Here, physical illumination is coupled with salvation. In the Psalm’s context, “salvation” would mean safety from one’s enemies and being saved from disaster. One may remark that is has become a cliché that we “see the light at the end of the tunnel” especially when we are in dire straits. However, it rings true when you get sick of Covid-19 and you are not 100% sure of how things will turn out. Psalm 27:1’s confident declaration in the goodness and saving power of God is certainly comforting.
Psalm 43:3 combines light and truth and the author asks God to send out and lead the people with these two. Truth is associated with the light and both are useful in giving direction to one’s path.
In Psalm 78:4, Asaph the author, harks back to Exodus 13:17-22 where the LORD led the Israelites with a cloud by day and a fiery light at night. The pillar of fire illuminated the path of the Israelites. Here the use of light is related to the visible sign of direction. It would be hard to get lost with such a physical display of light.
Finally, the great acrostic Psalm 119:105 has the author declaring that the Word of the LORD is a lamp to his feet and a light to his path. The physical importance of having visible implements to illuminate one’s way, especially in the dark is not lost. However, here, it is God’s Word that becomes the guiding instrument. Truly, one can see that John’s Gospel, quoting our Lord Jesus as the Word who became flesh and tabernacled with men saying that “I AM” the light of the world, points to a clear resonance with the beautiful Psalms of the Bible.
We shall continue next week.
God bless us all.