There are many editorials and commentaries on these times of COVID-19. In addition to the actual news from the medical and congressional fields and the number of cases and deaths in states, there are stories of selfless acts of courage and compassion from ordinary people. The social and TV media is getting very philosophical about the massive cultural shift going on in everyone’s life. For some the greatest stress is financial, for others it is the isolation; for some, it is the loss of a loved one.
Medically, children do not seem to be the target of this Corona virus. However, attention needs to be paid to the toll it is having on our children. They are out of school and off their normal routine, which is extremely difficult for children. Routine helps them; it can be a security blanket for them. They are also picking up the stress of their parents. They hear what adults hear. They absorb the news and the fears.
We’re now beginning our third week. Correction. We began long before but we didn’t realize. With all my heart I feel for all of us and especially those who are ill, dying and suffering economic loss and in a particular way for those whom we call refugees.
Scientists were alerting us much earlier but we paid no heed. We, human beings, made in the image of the Holy One, especially those of us who live in the Northern and Western hemispheres, are being forced to live differently.
Will we continue to live a simpler life so others may simply live? The Earth, indigenous communities, animals and
What can we do to love our neighbour in this situation, to offer hope and kindness in this very uncertain and fearful reality?
• We can pray for those who are most vulnerable at this time, those lacking adequate employment or finances, people suffering great physical pain or loneliness.
• We can show our appreciation for health care workers whose load is now significantly heavier.
• We can sit with the contemplative invitation to consider how to “be” human, loving, Christ-like in this time of great uncertainty, vulnerability and fear.
• We can further expand our experience of communion through alternative spiritual practices, as the liturgy of the Eucharist is less available.
• We can observe the recommended protocols of our Government Health Authorities. The gesture of withdrawing from regular social contact (i.e. “social distancing”) reveals in a concrete way the depth of our care for the entire, interrelated community of life. For most of us, this way of being feels contrary to our identity as Visitation women. Could this restriction offer us opportunities to expand our understanding and practices of encounter?