The news of a pandemic has escalated. Famous people who might seem untouchable have been touched. What started as an isolated virus overseas has jumped the ocean and spread to communities worldwide.
People are afraid, right or wrong. People are washing their hands and that is always good. People are concerned and concern is in order. People need guidance and so do institutions.
The wolves are among us and the the storms are tossing our boat at sea.
Among the malevolent, viral, violent wolves and waves, peace be still...
There are principles that can guide us.
This has happened before and it will happen again. In fact, this may be a fire drill to train us for future challenges.
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side."
And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him.
A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"
He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!"
Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?"
And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" - Mark 4:35-41 (NRSV)
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." - Matthew 10:16 (New King James Version)“Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves.
"... Love thy neighbor as thyself..."
These are my Guiding Principles during these days:
Pay attention.
There are good sources of information and bad sources. Opinions serve as filters. Journalists report. Commentators comment. Scientists, doctors, demographers, and public health workers have one major interest - the health and well-being of populations of people. I tend to listen most to them. Just because the statistics do not seem alarming to you at the moment, understand that some people are better at tracking trends, doing math, and understanding complexities that I am or you are. Listen to them. Comparisons are dangerous because differences can be subtle. Be humble and defer to experts.
Follow Jesus' Call
Follow the call - even if it takes you among the wolves. We are the people of God on mission. We are in this with people and for people. Don't let fear keep you from serving when you are needed. Be cautious, but be available. We have a message of compassion and good news.
Be Wise.
Don't take unwise risks and do not risk the health of other people. We are going overboard to protect the vulnerable in our community and in our parish. What a wonderful thing it is when a crisis does not materialize, but that usually happens because someone is making wise decisions.
Wisdom means we are careful with resources. It also means we avoid decisions based upon panic. We do not overcrowd emergency rooms for trivial matters. We do not avoid them when they are needed.
If we need to be inconvenienced to show extra caution, so be it. Don't touch when it is not necessary. Do not meet when it is unnecessary. The influenza epidemic of 1918 could have been different if they had known done what we know and are being asked to do.
Be Innocent.
Be kind. Be patient. Withhold criticism. While you are being shrewd, do not develop a hard heart. Share with your neighbors. Be emotionally vulnerable. Let God help you and speak peace to your soul.
Love Your Neighbor.
Love is what guides our decisions about whether to have meetings, cancel meetings, postpone meetings, or miss meetings. What does love dictate? Even the perception of danger, for people, poses danger. What is love calling you to do right now?
Fear Not
Have faith. Don't be afraid. Jesus is in the boat with you. He will speak to the waves at the right moment. Your ship will find its way safely to shore.
