By Modesto P. Sa-onoy
John Horvat of Return to Order shared an article by Rex Teodosio on the Easter Monday statement made by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo that raised “a storm of complaints.” Speaking on the development on the fight against the pandemic Cuomo said, “The number is down because we brought the number down. God did not do that. Fate did not do that. Destiny did not do that. A lot of pain and suffering did that.”
Pain and suffering cannot do anything, they are feelings that cannot act. Citing them makes Cuomo appear heroic and camouflages the “we” headed by Cuomo to be the people who brought down the number of infections and death in New York.
While human effort can be credited for the work, to remove God from their effort is to say that man alone can do anything. He was emphatic in declaring that “God did not” bring the incidence down. “We” did.
One person wrote, “I am disgusted with his statement!” Another said, “Was Cuomo attacking people of faith? He really needs to watch his mouth.” Several labeled it blasphemy. One man wrote, “New York will suffer for what blasphemy came out of that mouth.” Other comments were even stronger alluding to judgment, to punishment and to the devil.
Video viewers still remember that horrifying scene when Cuomo and the New York Democratic-majority legislature wildly cheered the passage and signing of the late-term abortion bill last year. One wrote that the governor’s comments were to be expected from “infant murderer!”
Teodosio wrote that Cuomo’s remarks “offended God-fearing Americans all over the country and that Cuomo shows not only disdain for the faithful but also a lack of understanding of how God works and acts in society. For example, he does not understand where many healthcare workers found the strength to carry on their arduous work. These heroic professionals exposed themselves and their family to the pathogen. They worked overtime until exhausted, and then came back the following day. It would be insulting to say that extra work hours and paycheck bonuses alone motivated these professionals. No amount of money can compensate someone for catching the illness and risk dying from it.”
“Worse yet”, Teodosio wrote, “the motivation cannot possibly be devotion to the governor. These healthcare professionals were probably not inspired by the governor’s pleas to beat the virus. Generally, these selfless individuals are motivated by a love of neighbor, which, in turn, comes from a love of God. This devotion could be seen in the many news reports and pictures showing healthcare professionals gathering to pray on rooftops, break rooms and even emergency tents all over the United States, including in New York.”
We prayed for these front liners in this war without borders not even knowing who they are but what why they risk their lives that others might live. It is not so much that they took the Hippocratic oath but their belief in Jesus Christ. I can imagine that Jesus’ sacrifice is fresh in their minds as the holy season of Lent has just ended. They implemented what Christ taught, that “greater love has no man than he who gives his life for his neighbor.” These healthcare professionals put this principle into action in their daily work and Cuomo failed to see that but his own bloated ego as if without God, he or anyone can do or make things happen.
How many of these front liners draw their energy and perseverance from Christ? Love of God is a primary motivating factor for countless healthcare professionals. This is the reason we received many requests for prayers for doctors and nurses. Our responses gave them strength. Cuomo and people like him belittle this inspiration and strength that comes from God’s intervention.
God’s intervention in this epidemic did not begin when Cuomo took his first step to address the crisis. It began centuries before. The Divine Physician not only cared for the redemption of the soul but also for the healing of the body. Hospitals, started by churchmen, are an expression of His spirit.
Jesus may not have diagnosed a dying COVID-19 patient, but He inspired the whole hospital system. Should this be forgotten? Is it not shameful for a public official to take total credit for an effort that depended on institutions founded by the people of God?
