Bishop Barron on Governor Cuomo and the Nature of God 

"Through Him, with Him, and in Him, O God almighty father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is Yours, forever and ever."

9:15 "We did it and God had EVERYTHING to do with it!" Perfectly said, Bishop Barron. Thank you!

Bishop, I watched that press conference, and thought of this excerpt from Thomas Merton's Seven Story Mountain: "People seem to think that it is in some way a proof that no merciful god exists if we have so many wars. On the contrary, consider how in spite of centuries of sin and greed and lust and cruelty and hatred and avarice and oppression and injustice, spawned and bred by the free wills of men, the human race can still recover each time and can produce men and women who overcome evil with good, hatred with love, greed with charity, lust and cruelty with sanctity. How could all this be possible without the merciful love of God pouring out his grace upon us?" I thought about all the people who are losing their incomes to stay home and all the hospital workers who are risking their lives. These are small pictures of ultimate love and self-sacrifice: Jesus.

Bach, who wrote to the side of his music “for the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” I think he got what Bishop Barron was speaking of; I painstakingly wrote this music, but God was guiding and empowering me.

The mayor just exposed the weakness arrogance of the human ego

I expect nothing else from The Butcher of New York. He's clearly demonstrated who he works for. This was simply a verbal admission of it.

Bishop Barron is such a wise comforting voice in these difficult times. Remember the Titanic, "Not even God can sink this ship." Let's pray for Gov. Cuomo.

"Oh Lord, it is you who accomplished everything we have done" thank you Bishop Barron for sharing with us the word of God.

Thank you, Bishop Barron, for reminding us that "...in Him we live and move and have our being," as St.Paul told the pagans of the Areopagus. American arrogance and theological ignorance/forgetfulness was in full display by New York's governor and is too often in full display by us all. Lord, have mercy.

Your hypothesis is based on your viewpoint of how Cuomo meant what h said. First I agree with all you said. I also believe Cuomo wold agree with you factually. I believe that Cuomo was trying to speak to people who use God politically.

So then God must bring on the Covid-19?

In all due respect... I think you have taken governor Como's comment out of context here. I doubt that Governor Como would believe that God isn't in all things. He was simply making the point that peoples behaviour brought down the numbers, and that God didn't do it in a magical vacuum. There was no theological debate here. My wife and I get alot of peace hearing Governor Como speak, because he comes from a place of clear honesty and some genuine humility. I have a hunch he has a strong faith in our God. In His grace.

When I heard Governor Cuomo say that God didn't do that, I kinda froze and thought can he really be that arrogant in a time like this? After all the prayers that have gone up for the sick, the doctors and healthcare workers, the people who make the supplies that keep us safe, and the medications we use to treat these patients. To leave out the great author and finisher of our faith, our healer, and savior God, seemed horrible to me. Then I thought through this crisis, everyone is under tremendous stress, especially the people who are in charge. I had to say a prayer for the Mayor instead of bashing him. He's only human and I think God knows that and is so very forgiving to us. I praise God for all He has done and that things are getting better. I look forward to the day when we can all get back to some sense of normal and this pandemic is finally over. With God's blessings and grace we will.

I thought the same thing when I heard Governor Cuomo say that !!!!! So glad you commented on it!! I love the bike analogy. Thank you for the tool!

I like to think the skilled medical hands in New York were fulfilling Mathew 22:39 to love your neighbor and also honoring God. High Calling before God.

“What has God ever done for me?” Says the man breathing air.

Let us pray for the conversion of Governor Cuomo and for more people to hear the wise words of the Most Reverend Bishop Barron!

I think Cuomo is doing a fine job at handling the coronavirus, but boy did he put his foot in his mouth with that statement. I hope he reflects on it and sees his error.

Nothing happens without God, whether we believe in Him or not.

"In Him we live and move and have our being."

You are a gift to the culture, and our Church! God bless you and keep you, Bishop Barron!

I don’t think the Governor meant to leave God out, without God nothing would be possible, & he knows that, God Bless all for their hard work & prayers.

I couldn't believe my ears, when I heard Cuomo say this, I wonder if he has walked this one back. It would be smart move.

Bishop Barron took the governor’s comment out of context. And in doing so completely distorted what Cuomo meant by it. It wasn’t a statement of hubris, it was actually the opposite. “If we do something stupid you will see those numbers go right back up.”

Hey, nice to get a personal homily. And Governor Cuomo is Catholic! Pray that he has the humility to listen to it and accept it as a blessing from God.

I wanted to really question the statement picked up right now... That was a very common statement I felt... At a point when there are people shouting and saying "we don't need any lockdown and let us roam around freely - also we don't need these medicines,God can help us", before that I see this statement making sense... It's sensible to recognize the effort of the men and women working around to help others in this COVID -19 situation, and to make everyone understand that, atleast for these people sake let's Stay Home and not shout ignorant statements. I feel your video - especially pointing Governor Cuomo at this point of time is not helping much of New York fight the Virus. Let's not give Religious angle and deep theological view on each and every statement said but look it more sensible.

"O Lord, it is You who have accomplished all that we have done."

I watched that Cuomo brief and the first thing that struck me when he said that was "really?". I think Bishop Barron elucidated my "really" to what I was thinking.

I love these explanatory, tutorial-esque videos with Bishop Barron. Combined with the Word on Fire, it's like getting a Masterclass in theology.

Bishop Barron is awesome! I always learn something or at least how to articulate something about the faith!

“We are not worthy” God bless you & yours Sir, and I will continue to pray for the ENLIGHTENMENT of our “humble” elected officials, no matter what kind of moronic garbage comes spewing from their mouths. Thanks be to God for teaching us all patience. Now and at the hour of our deaths, God have mercy on our souls. 🧐🙏🏽🦅

Thank you for making this video! I didn’t know he made that statement because I’ve been listening to my governor. And I am thankful TO GOD- that Governor Edwards keeps God and prayers in our success. We have been hit hard in New Orleans, but thankfully we have a large faithful community no matter which faith it is. This is the time to find out what the future politicians are made of!

Thank you Bishop Barron! I think so many of us get wrong Who God is.

My friend, whose son was born with a challenging illness, was at first praying for his son's healing. Daily, he would pray until he understood God to say, "Cultivate the presence of the healer." From there, his approach drastically changed.

modern man scramble around as much as he could to fight against this invisible enemy , not knowing let alone thinking 🤔 God Almighty is willing to show His goodness once again...

After following Bishop Barron for the past 6 weeks, I have heard him speak clearly and consistently the same truth over and over and over. God is God and we are not. I appreciate this deeply.

Bishop Barron gets as close to explaining the mystery of causality and volition as anyone I know. I am a former Roman Catholic, now a part of the Reformed branch of the Christian faith. But I continue to learn from and appreciate the wisdom of this man. And I applaud him for taking direct aim - without vitriol - at the silly pronouncements of Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is a Catholic in name only. I have more in common with Robert Barron than does Mr. Cuomo, and I am glad that I do.

What’s so sad is that the governor is implying that the human race is able to do anything remotely good or decent without God. Can you imagine if God wasn’t a part of the last few months? It is a dreadful thought. Where there is no God, the devil resides. The government is NOT God. Doctors, nurses and all essential workers are doing an amazing job, and God is working through them. God is a part of every good, miraculous event. If God had not been with humanity, where would we be? Left with the devil, of course. Such a ridiculous thing of the governor to say. It doesn’t even make any sense. I do pray he finds some wisdom on the topic. He couldn’t be more off base. I’m afraid the human ego which can be so utterly prideful and ignorant, has led so many into thinking that they are God. It’s no wonder that Dante describes pride as the heaviest sin. Edit: I also want to thank you Bishop! Your words have brought so much healing in these difficult times. God Bless you, you are in my prayers❤️

Thank you Bishop Barron. This was inspiring! I am a Theology Teacher at Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx. I will be using this for remote learning in my ecclesiology and moral theology classes! I am also a priest so here it goes "Ecce Sacerdos Magnus! and "Ad Multos Annos!"

Governor Cuomo might be willing to acknowledge that his remark come out wrong after listening to BB's analysis. He was probably trying to make New Yorkers proud of their efforts and in so doing, made a theological no-no. Words carry a lot of weight and public speakers are apt to make mistakes unwittingly, especially when dabbling in disciplines outside their expertise.

God is love and love is God. Without love and compassion for patients, healthcare workers like nurses and doctors will not push themselves to the limit just to save a stranger. Can we see love like we see the ventilators and hold it? No. What we see is the fruit or effects of our love to fellow humans.

I watched the comments by Gov. Cuomo. Somehow I didn't see or hear the hubris mentioned by Bishop Barron. Instead Cuomo came across as someone genuinely reminding New Yorkers about their personal responsibility for keeping the numbers down in the days ahead. I do agree that the choice of words could have been better to avoid confusion.

What great words of wisdom! Thank you for explaining that topic.

Thanks Bishop Barron for addressing this comment. I was shocked at hearing Gov. Cuomo's comments leaving God out of this equation. Blessings Dear Bishop.

As a Protestant, and a Thomist, I say: preach it, Brother Robert!

Well, put brother Robert. Governor Cuomo makes category errors, just like most materialists.

Let's pray for our government officials even dough if don't like them because of what they do and say maybe they have a roll on God's proyect Jesus ask pry for your enemy too

Help me understand please: if God’s existence in all things makes the flattening curve ascribable to God’s grace and it is through God that all things are possible, then is the presence of the problem, in this case Covid 19, not also ascribable to God? I struggle with this, in that God’s hand is present in all things, so it is through His grace that this is possible, is it not also through Him that we are struggling with this as well? Is this similar to the Jewish struggle against the God of the Old Testament? The argument against Cuomos statement seems a double edged sword that I dislike.

Wow, I love the Bishop's explanation about God. I was among the fuzzy ones questioning God. Thank you so much Bishop.

God understands that we need both Bishops and Governors. They perform totally different functions in human society.

Thank you, Bishop! We are just going over primary and secondary causality in my Apologetics class. This will be the perfect video to show my students, because it expresses the concept persuasively and will hook them in with its timeliness. God bless you in your ministry.

People are always quick to blame God for what happens in their life that they don’t understand or sicknesses etc. But when great things happen in their life they don’t acknowledge God But rather act as if they did it all on their own. We are nothing if we don’t have God in our life. He created us ,Adam and then Eve and when He was done with that He said this is good. We need to get on our knees and give praise to God and thank Him for His guidance and His love and His mercy.

Thanks, Bishop Barron for a deeper understanding of God. Over the years, listening to you I am drawn to St Thomas Aquinas. Trying to read Suma Theologica

DEAR BISHOP ROBERT, Thank you for your many clarities, for the wonderful way you bring our faith to coherence - As a theologian myself practicing among Catholic university students, I have for the past 40 years labored to offer the beauty, depth and vision of the Catholic faith to my wonderful young - often lost - students. I share with you the sadness that these generations have had the tradition so poorly rendered, but that is another memo. I wish to reflect with you about your critique of a remark made by our Governor Cuomo (I'm an immigrant Irish New Yorker). Rather than critique one unskillful remark that he made during the press conference you reference, I so wish you had reflected back to our brother and your listeners the light that has been coming through him "for the life of the world." Each day, listening to his reports, I have heard the Gospel being preached- and practiced. I have marveled that I have heard the acclamation "THANK GOD" spoken so often, so sincerely and transparently by him, that he speaks of prayer, that he speaks of love. During these months of sequestration since Ash Wednesday, I have been straining to hear a shepherd's voice in this pandemic and I have heard it daily in Governor Andrew's words and deeds of clarity and comfort, in his wise counsel. He has the vision of our faith living in him at least around this crisis - it has come forth brilliantly. Each day I have thrilled to hear him offer through the vigorous dispensation of his leadership the passion and compassion of our social justice tradition. Our brother Andrew is not an academic theologian as you and I are; he has no PhD in sacred theology. Yet as one who gratefully and humbly holds a mandatum to present our teaching in its integrity and beauty, I salute him for the way he is acknowledging the presence of the Living God with us in this pandemic, how he invokes the Mystery being manifest in the great sacrifice of the healers and the great suffering of the afflicted. If I may say to you, my Brother Robert, as a sister in the faith, your word of fire concerning the Governor felt searing; it felt as if you were calling him out for an unskillful remark made in the moment that meant not to side-line the Living One, but rather to salute the incarnate power and energy of Love pouring itself out in service and sacrifice by the first-liners and all the people so essential to our wellbeing (and so side-lined). That, to my hearing, was all he meant to say. I would be so happy to hear you extol him for the gospel he IS proclaiming, for the doxologies he IS ever intoning, the grace he IS ever invoking for all of us. . Thank you for receiving this word with the affection with which I offer it. I know you love a good argument and so do I, and this seemed a worthy engagement to support a brother who is pouring himself out to save millions. Where would we be without the intelligence and consistency of Cuomo in this unimaginable moment? All that being said, know that I have admired and followed your ministry since I and my Merton colleagues invited you to be our keynote speaker at the International Thomas Merton Society Meeting years ago. When I heard you speak of Thomas M and Thomas A as the great teachers of your life I was hearing my own mind speaking with. your voice. Bless you Brother, Bless you Bishop Barron, you who are a Word of Fire. Be well and safe. Kathleen Noone Deignan, CND Professor of Theology and Religious Studies Iona College New Rochelle NY

Amazing! Really good explaining. A big thank you for taking a stand, and helping us see God.

My Jesus, I Trust in You! I believe that you’re present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things,I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I can’t receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you and unite myself wholly to you.Never permit me to be separated from you.Amen

Thank you, Bishop Barron, for reminding us that "...in Him we live and move and have our being," as St.Paul told the pagans of the Areopagus. American arrogance and theological ignorance/forgetfulness was in full display by New York's governor and is too often in full display by us all. Lord, have mercy.

Thank you Bishop for the clarification. Perhaps, the good governor was delivering a rhetorical statement highlighting the efforts of everyone.

We need to pray , fast and do penitence for MR Cuomo so he can repentance for what he said. May God have mercy of us

Thank you Brother for your courage to speak the truth!!! 🙏🙏🙏 We know GOD won't abondon anyone who call his name Jesus Christ!!! AMEN!!!

God bless You Bishop Barron , that everything we do is for "Ad maiorem Dei gloriam "

“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.” (Jn 1:1-3) Thus, all our free will endeavors, strivings, struggles, decisions, accomplishments, victories, and losses; in fact, ALL that a human being can do is not without the Word of God for it to be made - for it to be done. This was true in the beginning and it is true now. Even Governor Cuomo’s comments change absolutely nothing to the nature of God, it only changes Governor Cuomo.

Your videos are so great and inspiring (especially the movie reviews) and I'm not even Catholic. Thank you so much, Bishop Barron!

I love Governor Cuomo and respect him, but I was a bit thrown back by his comment that people staying home was not an act of God. Governor Cuomo, I love you, but everything that relates to a common good and where people are coming together for a good outcome has everything to do with God. God used you as his vessel to be heard and respected. It is through the power of God that we were able to control the situation. I am just expressing my opinion, however it does not change the fact that I love and respect my Governor and will support him in his role as Governor or President of the United States. I just question how much more powerful he would have been if his stated, "We are achieving this goal together with God's love and mercy, I am able to be a better leader because of God's guidance. Oh my God, he would have had the world at his knees praising him to the end. Governor Cuomo, we have got to give the glory to God always.

In saying "oh Lord, it is you that has accomplished all we have done", we will not only be able to conquer this physical virus that has plagued us, but, with Christ, we will also conquer the virus of sin and spiritual death which comes from self dependence, and from the rejection of God as a Father who loves us, a rejection of Him who wants to provide us with His love that we too might love the world with great works.

Thank you Bishop Barron! I appreciate your insight and direction.

Thank you for the courage of speaking up about this, Bishop Barron.

I think Cuomo might accept the sustaining being of God as a general truth. Of course God seems to sustain being in relation to tragedy. Including the scenarios with innocent children we all struggle with. Do we necessarily address that scenario via intervention language? I am not sure that is fair. God sustained being there and one should not imply an intention to effectuate tragedy as an end in and of itself. With apparent meaningless terrible tragedy we struggle with," why didn't God intervene or how did he let this happen?" Some describe reality as cruciform. Our Catholic paradox is die to live. The mustard seed. God so loved the world that he participated in that reality very much in solidarity with our existence within that reality. I think Cuomo's comments may have addressed the ingredient idea

The answer to the question who did it? Me, you and God did it, God works through us, especially if we have good will.

How about thank God for creating this plague, now we know your kingdom come.

After 10 years online, your Excellency, I think you’ve finally perfected your backdrop.

When the running back pointing to the sky after a touchdown is more theologically adept than the Governor of New York...

I wish many CATHOLICS including other members of the clergy could listen to your words your Excellency.

Bishop Barron its really nice to see priest discuss what's going on in the world. Through scripture and I just want to say keep up the good work

Physical distancing did also, thank God! Only the Lord is perfect.

I think, after that video, I could believe in Spinoza's god just as easily as the bishop's god.

A really important point very well made.

Thank you from England

I do not think Andrew Cuomo, who I am quite sure is Catholic, meant any insult to our Lord. He was just trying to say that our efforts paid off

You’re awesome Bishop Barron!! God bless

In one of Jorden Peterson's talks the old testament discussing the concept and importance of speaking the truth {Logos] the question was posed "and the idea just popped into my head, where does that come from?" Having being involved in engineering all my life, this has happened many times, just in time. In thinking about this, is not that idea an invitation to speak the truth and in a tiny way enter into creation itself and in speaking that truth combined with God-given skills, truth arose for all to use - a bike - just an idea, thank God

Enjoyed this very much. I’m always learning from you-and I thank God. :0)

I think he just misspoke; like he did with quoting the Rt math today. I am confident the governor recognizes that God is all around us at all times.

Should we also thank god for the evil of the pandemic itself? Since he is enabler of all things this pandemic has to be for some greater good? I guess our minds can not comprehend God’s plan?

Thank God for having you, bishop Barron, and your clear thoughts in our church. Greetings from Germany

Seriously? With all due respect, Bishop Baron, why bother criticizing Cuomo for this statement. The far more glaring offense is his support of late term abortion that he has been so public about. Your not speaking out on this seems a most glaring oversite. Duly noted, truly unfortunate.

Bishop Barron - I think you jumped the gun on this - your interpretation of what he said missed the mark. Governor Cuomo is laying the responsibility, including the outcomes, on us. Too many people are not taking responsibility for the spread of this virus, nor of the outcome to reduce the virus.

some don't believe in the invisible

Andy has a real totalitarian streak in him. Pray for his conversion!

Bishop Barron explains God's action in enabling and enhancing the work of all the doctors, nurses, researchers in the pandemic in New York. I hope Governor Cuomo will listen to this. He needs to get his head on straight!

Beautifully said! God is not a being, God is Being itself. God is not one who loves best, God is Love itself. With all that however, on this issue I think you drew a greater contrast with Cuomo than what actually existed. I suspect he wouldn’t disagree with you on this point, he just didn’t say it as clearly. He was responding to the “act of God” mentality that makes God unto the world’s powerbroker. We can thank Aquinas also for ridding us of that theology.

I have been a nurse for many, many years and have worked in many fields of nursing and I always knew that my patients outcome didn’t just depend on his/her nurses, doctors, hospital settings, but ALWAYS was in God’s hands. Always! I would find it hard to believe that most nurses have a strong belief in God and I would want them taking care of me. We know our limitations and that God has none. He can do it all!

I believe that the Governor was citing the behaviors that citizens collectively did to adhere to social distancing and other prudent practices. Those behaviors have flattened the curve . His statement was narrowly focused. Thank you Lord for motivating us.

The chickens have come home to roost.

Bravo your reverence. Your voice is solace during these dark times.

*Bishop Barron, I genuinely like you very much. You are a great man. Please keep up the good work*

The bike story reminds me of a time when my cousin and I were watching a bulldozer moving earth. He commented on how amazing it is that mankind could take iron from the earth and build such a powerful machine fueled by dead dinosaurs from the earth long ago. I later thought of how mankind was made of dust and ashes, and then could do what my cousin thought was amazing. My cousin is a bit of an atheist, he would never give God credit for being the ultimate engineer.

Ugh! So wonderful put! Thank you, and thank god for you!

All churches are in decline. What could reverse the hemorrhaging of the faithful? The church needs a renewed sense of hospitality, more openness to the sharing of divergent ideas, true and elevated humility and a focus on God’s providence in the modern-era. What are your thoughts?

💒🇺🇸🤔hmmmm...I respect you Bishop but the gov. is a crook.....👿🇺🇸💒