Covid Anxiety Continues to Imprison Many

Anxiety continues to imprison many, even with the reopening of much of our country. I recently ran across an acquaintance from my parish in a local grocery store. He was masked up, standing in line for the pharmacy. I hadn’t seen him in a while. Before the virus and lockdowns, he’d frequently attended daily Mass at our parish. Since then, I recalled seeing him just a couple of times over the last few months. “How have you been doing–are you getting out much now? I haven’t seen you at Mass in a while,” I said.  “No, I’m not going out much yet. I went to Mass a couple of times, but the number of people not wearing masks all the time disturbed me, so I quit going.” I could see the emotional strain in his eyes as he told me this.

Mass Attendance

Seeing this former, fairly regular Mass participant tied up in anxiety like this saddened me. What causes me more concern is the fact that he is not alone. Many more people appear also to be in the clutches of similar misgivings. At our parish, even with restrictions eased on most of the weekend Masses, we still don’t see attendance comparable to pre-lockdown conditions. This, in spite of continued encouragement of our priests to come on back and enjoy the fullness of our faith in the Eucharistic celebration.

The Eucharist: The Real Presence

Watching Mass on a monitor instead of actually being there, I believe our bishop recently wrote, just isn’t the same. It’s like looking at a picture of a loved one instead of spending time with them in person.  How true! Yet a 2019 Pew survey report showed that most self-proclaimed Catholics believe that the Communion they receive is only a symbol. They do not believe in the real presence–the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Our Lord. Among those who attend Mass at least weekly, 37% don’t believe that the bread and wine are the body and blood of Jesus. I recall watching live-streamed Mass during the 2019 lockdown in tears, longing to be there and actually receive Jesus in the Eucharist. And it occurs to me that, if one really believed that Jesus was there, waiting for them in the Eucharist, streaming Mass options quickly would lose their appeal.

Anxiety About Illness

Beyond misunderstanding or disbelief in the real presence, there’s an issue of anxiety behind all of this. Many will say, “I am not fearful–I just believe what I’ve seen and read in the news, so I need to be really cautious.” Clearly if one has serious health complications, it’s wise to be cautious. However, the mainstream media has flooded the public with a continual stream of virus coverage. Some in the media even admit the excessive coverage is to help drive up their ratings. At the same time, information from sources contradicting the mainline narrative, which might reduce some anxiety, continue to be censored. 

Nevertheless, taking in a steady diet of secular television and radio offerings, news or otherwise, certainly won’t provide anyone with a sense of peace and well-being. Constantly listening to accounts of alleged new infections, new deaths, and the like will make people anxious–some more than others.  

Anxiety and Depression

But what about all that anxiety? St. Paul tells us,

Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7)

Our Lord Himself asks us if, by worrying, we can add another hour to our life. (cf. Mt 6:27) “But,” some people may believe, “I really may be able to add more time to my life if I hunker down and stay isolated.” And what’s the cost of this isolation and the related anxiety? A JAMA Network study showed that depression symptoms in the US were “…more than three-fold higher during COVID-19 compared with before…” That’s clearly not from God.

Where Do We Place Our Trust?

“Once I receive the vaccine, then I’ll be ready to resume ‘normal’ functioning,” many may be thinking. Readers probably are aware that there are various and contradictory opinions about both the morality, and efficaciousness of vaccines. In fact, recent statistics reported by the CDC shows, based on voluntary reporting by states, that over 9,000 people have contracted COVID after receiving the vaccine. So there’s not a 100% certainty that even taking the vaccine will eliminate health risks instead of increasing them.

We’ve read or heard that the virus continues to mutate. With the ongoing mutation of the virus, there could be calls for yet more, ongoing vaccinations, masking, and social restrictions. Anxiety has a grip on many institutions. With or without vaccinations, some government agencies, businesses, schools, etc., may continue to require masking and other measures for the indefinite future. More and more schools and businesses require vaccination of students, employees, and staff. Where will it all stop? 

I want to be clear here. Whether or not one should choose to take the vaccine is not the question. Rather, it is fundamentally a question of trust. Psalm 146 advises us, “…Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish…” (Ps 146:3-4) Whether we choose to take the jab or not, where do we place our trust ultimately?  

We Are a Mist That Appears and Then Vanishes

We need to face the fact that our time here is but a brief flash when compared to eternity. No matter how long one can extend his or her life here, none of us is getting out of here alive. Period. Who do we trust? Do we trust God who loved us into existence? Can we understand that right now, when we’re in a state of grace, we’re experiencing some of the eternal beatitude we hope for at the end of this life on earth? Do we have any idea of how much more preferable eternal life with Our Lord is to the mixed bag of joys and sorrows of this life? If we’re attempting to live a life pleasing to God, anxiety most likely is coming from the enemy of our human nature.

Anxiety Comes from the Enemy

Anxiety, agitation, despondency, despair, depression–God doesn’t give these to us if we’re striving to live in a state of grace! These desolations come from the enemy. He wants us to turn in on ourselves, to take our eyes off of Jesus and the cross. The evil one wants us to be so self-absorbed that we can’t reach out to help others in need. He tries to get us to avoid doing what’s right and good. What’s the greatest good we can focus on? Union with Jesus. Physical union with Him through the Holy Eucharist is key to our spiritual well-being. The enemy knows this and will do all he can to keep us away from it and any other sacraments.

Jesus, I Trust in You: Pray Away Your Anxiety

Besides attending Mass and receiving the sacraments, praying for the grace to trust in God, for surrender to His will, can help us begin to gradually overcome anxiety about the challenges of life in what at times seems to be a “valley of tears.” Consider also prayer with Scripture, to get to know Our Lord ever more intimately. Get to know Him and trust Him more. As we open ourselves up in trust to Him, in that deeper relationship, He will begin to take away our anxiety. He wants to do that. He wants us to live in peace, even in the midst of worldly trials.

Some scripture passages that address anxiety, besides those mentioned above, include 2 Timothy 1:7, 1 Peter 5:7, Joshua 1:9, James 4:7, Philippians 4:13, Jeremiah 29:11, and Ephesians 2:10. Many find comfort praying with some of the Psalms. Consider spending time in prayer with Psalm 91, a copy of which actor Jimmy Stewart’s father is said to have given to him when Stewart flew bombing missions during World War II. Some find consolation in praying with Psalm 121. Of course, Psalm 23, The Divine Shepherd, resonates with many as well. Your spiritual director or regular confessor may suggest additional Psalms and other Scripture passages that can help you as well.

Please just recognize that God doesn’t want any of us to live in isolation or anxiety. We’re meant to live in joy, and in community, to share the love of God with our brothers and sisters in Christ. He will help us if we cooperate with Him. Start by spending 15 to 20 minutes a day, praying from the heart with Scripture. It will change your life and give you that peace that “passes all understanding.”

 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).