Ubi Caritas et amor, Deus ibi est

Ubi Caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. 

Where love and kindness are, there is God.

The "Ubi Caritas" is an ancient Gregorian chant used as early as the 8th Century. It was used on Maundy Thursday during the rite of washing the feet. But now, it has come to be used on other occasions.

This chant has always inspired me in my daily life as a young Catholic. I share my pains and sorrows, joys, and victories with God. 

Now we are still during the pandemic, and the daily cases of COVID-19 in Hong Kong remain at 5000 to 6000. Thanks be to God we can still have face-to-face Masses, but we need to follow the rules of the Government, such as the need to vaccinate at least three doses then we can enter the Churches.

Meanwhile, there are lingering questions that people ask. "Is the pandemic by the hand of God?" Well, the Bible does not give us a single answer. 

The prophets believe that diseases, famines, and defeat in wars are God’s instruments to punish his people; and they call for repentance. That is why, disasters and calamities like this, always force people to beg for God’s mercy and intervention.  

But there are other several Biblical perspectives. Other biblical writers think that there is something good if we can call them that, behind suffering. When Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, he says, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.”

Then there are those who think that suffering is a test from God. This is obvious in the Book of Job. When everything he had was taken away from him: his vast wealth and even his children,  

Job’s response was, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." 

These are not the only answers to the question. There are more.

The other question is, “Where is God in this situation?” The Bible teaches us that we are all created in the image of God. This means whatever we are, whoever we are, wherever we are, we bear the image of God. Therefore, God is there, in everyone trying one’s absolute best to alleviate the sufferings of others.  

I’d like to repeat that: God is there, in everyone trying one’s absolute best to alleviate the sufferings of others. 

Ubi Caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. 

Where love and kindness are, there is God.