Thinking in COVID days

 
Thinking in COVID days

Rather

a reflection on pastoral engagement and modelling faith

Instead of reasoning, we are present.

Instead of explaining, we listen.

Instead of justifying, we lament-

we notice and pay attention and feel deeply then express in word and silence and picture and music and symbol. We cry out to the God who is found alongside, even in darkness and in death.

Rather than blaming we call things by their right name.

Rather than searching for answers we search for meaning.

Rather than making judgements we make promises.

Rather than mongering fear we monger care.

Instead of reacting we respond, not with suspicion but loving kindness.

Instead of spreading anxiety,

we are contagious with the love of God and the hope of Christ.

Rather than rationalising we repent.  We repent of our sins and seek on earth God’s way and will, living the news that is good for all, bringing release, sight and liberty.

All shall be well

Three months ago much of our land was a torched earth with naked, blackened trees.

Now green bursts forth, irrepressibly.

While now we are vigilant, on edge, withdrawn to safeguard ourselves and each other, the time will come to burst forth.

Julian of Norwich lived through plague and years of cell bound isolation. The work of partnering with God in the hardship of others was her gift and is our task. These words of hers are spoken from a heart formed by Christ of the cross. May they settle in our bones:

All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.

The Lord’s Prayer from an Aramaic rather than Greek translation

Our Abba, Source of Life

Your Kin-dom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.

Give us today what we need.

Forgive us our complicity in brokenness and disease,

            as we forgive those who infect us also.

Save us from the overwhelming waters

and deliver us from evil.

Our lives are in your hands.

Always.

And forever.

Amen.

A Lament

(Delete or add whatever better suits your time and place)

On lament as a work of hope 

N.T. Wright on Christianity and pandemic and the role of Lament, TIME 30 March

A COVID lamentation

For all who have contracted the virus.

Lord have mercy.

For all who wait, unsure when we too will be infected.

Lord have mercy.

For all those who work with the sick, the doctors and nurses and medical staff, whose work exposes them to massive viral loads and hugely increased chances of infection.

Lord have mercy.

For all those who work with the sick with limited resources and compromised protective equipment.

Lord have mercy.

For those whose home confinement increases conflict, difficulty, anguish and even violence.

Lord have mercy.

For those whose confinement removes contact with neighbours and trees and sky and animals and birds.

Lord have mercy.

For those overwhelmed with loneliness and isolation.

Lord have mercy.

For all those with heightened risk factors.

Lord have mercy.

For all who have lost work and livelihood.

Lord have mercy.

For all who have been broken with debt and see no way out. For all whose lives are threatened with eviction and compromised housing. For all who feel overwhelmed with rising costs and fallen income and can see no way out or through.

Lord have mercy.

For those with loved ones gravely ill.

Christ have mercy.

For those with loved ones already lost.

Christ have mercy.

For those now in mourning and have been taken over with sadness. For those robbed of a last word or a final touch.

Christ have mercy.

For those burdened with impossible decisions; those who have to decide who will receive care and who will not.

Christ have mercy.

For our political leaders who work to secure incomes and workplaces and health processes and hospital practices and safe border protections.

Christ have mercy.

For our scientists and laboratory technicians and research assistants working for diagnostic tools and methods of containment and solutions and treatments and vaccinations.

Christ have mercy.

We cry out in anguish. We long for reassurance, for enough beds and respirators and medical staff and masks and gowns and enough to attend to the sick.

Lord have mercy.

We long for an end, for quicker tests and faster results, for safer treatments and surer cures and vaccinations and immunity for all and especially the vulnerable.

Lord have mercy.

We long to be able to reach out and touch and embrace and kiss. We long to be able to share spaces again and tables and food and common cups.

Lord have mercy.

We long for there to be a peace in our days and calm in our lives. We long for rest for our doctors and nurses and hospital staff.

Lord have mercy.

We cry out for wisdom and calm. We cry out for peace, within and among us.

O Lord, you are our God and we are your people. Make your presence known among us. You are the Shepherd and you are our Shepherd. We shall not want or be afraid.

Nothing can separate us from your unfailing love, not sickness or fear or worry for tomorrow, not darkness or even death. You are our Light and our guide in the midst of trouble. We shall not want or be afraid.

Amen.