# Praying for the Sick and the End Times
*2019-12-29*

> Bill Young reflects on the current coronavirus crisis, the importance of the sacraments, and leads a 3 o’clock Divine Mercy chaplet, urging listeners to pray for the sick and for the world’s suffering.

## The World in Crisis

I begin by noting the alarming spread of the coronavirus from China to the United States and other countries. Along with the pandemic we see wildfires in Australia and California, floods, earthquakes, and wars—signs that many interpret as the approaching end of time. While we cannot know exactly when the final days will come, Scripture reminds us to be ready, “like a thief in the night.”

## The Value of the Sacraments

Recent news about Kobe Bryant and his daughter reminded me how precious the Eucharist is. They received communion that morning, and we can pray that they died in a state of grace. This underscores the need for frequent Mass, confession, and communion. I shared my own experience of going to confession at St. Gregory the Great in Plantation, where the priest offered both absolution and compassionate counsel—spiritual guidance that often costs far more than a therapist’s fee. The peace that follows confession is a foretaste of God’s mercy, especially when we do not know when our own “last day” will arrive.

## A Call to Prayer: The 3 o’clock Divine Mercy Chaplet

Because it is the 3 o’clock hour, I lead us in the Divine Mercy Chaplet, invoking the “great fountain of mercy” that flows from the blood and water of Jesus. We pray the Our Father, Hail Mary, the Creed, and the ten Hail Marys of the chaplet, each ending with the petition, “For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” I ask God to pour out His mercy on all who are suffering from the virus, on those who have lost loved ones, and on the countless souls in need of salvation.

## Why We Must Keep the Faith

I recounted a tragic story of a woman who claimed a personal relationship with God but avoided Mass and confession, ultimately taking her own life and that of her daughter. This heartbreaking example illustrates that private devotion cannot replace the communal life of the Church, the sacraments, and the intercession of Mary. We must not be swayed by false teachings that dismiss the rosary, the cross, or the necessity of confession.

## Invitation to Holy Hour and Ongoing Mercy Prayers

I invite listeners to join the Holy Hour at St. David’s Catholic Church in Davie, Florida, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., where Father Gary, Father Pedro, and musicians will lead us in prayer. Let us continue the 3 o’clock Divine Mercy devotion each day, moving from day one to day two and beyond, trusting that our prayers can help stem the spread of this disease.

*In uncertain times, the sacraments and persistent prayer are our sure anchors of mercy.*