Father Briones serves, even in times of coronavirus

For José María Briones Herrera, human beings are people of faith and hope, two attributes that should not be lost even in the time of COVID-19. It is that for him the answer is easy, in this quarantine we will not be alone because God will not abandon us.

“The coronavirus has nothing to do with God,” Briones said, trying to appease the anxiety of the most apocalyptic in the community. “God is a god of love and mercy, so you have to look at yourself and reflect on how we are living and how we want to live.”

Briones is convinced that divine punishment does not exist, there are only results of bad decisions and miserable actions, and this virus is one of those things, a manifestation of our poor actions that has made the world stop.

In the words of José María and using the allegory of Pope Francis, “The earth is our common home and we must take care of it, now the beaches, the rivers rest, it is as if the planet is finally breathing,” he clarified about this quarantine, which also affects religious activities.

Briones knows that things are difficult for families who live day to day, so he clarified that this is “a time to share,” because it is useless to be holed up in a home full of provisions if one’s neighbors have nothing.

“It is a time of introspection, of prayer, of realizing that we are very vulnerable,” he explained.

Despite the restriction of certain massive ecclesiastical activities, such as the Sunday Eucharist and Sunday School, Saint Thomas More church remains open, and its pastor is ready to attend to any need. Briones asked his parishioners not to fear or feel alone because the parish is still standing.

“We will visit families who are sick, and we will bring them what is necessary,” Briones said. “The parish is open, just call the office and ask for an appointment, be it administering the Eucharist or hearing confession, we are here for the people.”

In addition, every day at noon massive prayer chains are held.

“No matter your religious creed, I invite you all to pray and trust God. By taking care, we leave fear behind, because what causes fear is not of God,” said Briones, asking the community to take the necessary preventive measures and not lose faith.

“It is time to really trust,” asked Briones, trust and act, take all precautions, use information correctly, stay calm to assist the little ones.

Saint Thomas More is one of the most faithfully attended churches in the city, where every Sunday there are between 8,000 and 10,000 people at Masses. Today, those faithful are forced to stay at home remembering that reducing circulation does not imply reducing faith, but expanding it, knowing that on the other side there is still a church that responds with shepherds who care.

“I am willing to serve,” says Briones, even in times of coronavirus. (La Semana)