The time we are living in is unique to say the least. It’s the Lent we never expected and I suspect, one we will never forget. What started as a season of fasting, penitence and alms-giving has turned into a test of survival.
“This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.”
For some, this is a matter of one’s life. If you’re an at-risk person, the coronavirus poses a real threat. For others, the social isolation poses a genuine test of resourcefulness. How should you use your time? What will the future hold? Should you disinfect your counters ONE MORE TIME?
For me, I’m feeling fine. Our family is safe and we live two minutes from a hospital. With enough food for a long while, our test is one of staying positive and trying to resume a semblance of normalcy and routine.
One surprising delight has been an extended amount of morning quiet time. Without lunches to pack for school, kids to get to the bus and no commute to worry about, 6am-9am has become a treasure.
As for Mass online, no it’s not the same. Still, it’s what we have and I can choose any homilist I want from the many good priests out there who are live-streaming Mass. Plus, I’m never distracted by the person in pew in front of me.
Things to Avoid
With all of that said, in a superabundance of news coverage related to the coronavirus, I am trying my best to avoid at least a few things:
Conversations about our bishops and their lack of leadership/abundance of leadership: folks, they don’t have a class in Covid-19 in seminary. They are likely doing the best they can. Whether they should/shouldn’t have strong advisors around them is a whole different question. Pray for them instead of complain about them.
State by state counts of positive tests for the virus: while I’m selfishly grateful that my state doesn’t have “that many” positive tests, it’s not helpful to keep refreshing NPR in order to see the latest numbers. The numbers are what they are.
Thinking that my own parish should be doing more: they are doing what they can and I cannot do much about it; it’s enough. I’ve offered my help and that’s what I can do for now.
Conversations about how online Mass doesn’t count: this isn’t a time for counting spiritual practices. This is a time for encouragement, creative pastoral care and reaching out to others. If more people participated in Mass online, I imagine they would be less critical. If you don’t like it, don’t watch it but please, stop complaining about it on Facebook.
Testing out new apps: ah, my eternal weakness! Must resist another productivity app, or at least that’s what I keep telling myself. Won’t the hundred apps on my phone do for now?
Wondering if my neighbors have tested positive: maybe yes and maybe no. The curiosity isn’t helpful to charity and prevents me from forming community. I want to wave and say hello without any suspicion.
I could probably list another ten things here but for now, that’s what we have. And maybe of all of the reflections during the Covid-19 era, that’s ok.
This is what we have.