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March 17, 2020I was at a birthday party recently and one of the star attractions was the “Reptile Guy”. He brought along a couple of large tortoises, a lavender king snake, a rather large python and a baby alligator. Some were brave enough to try their hand at snake handling or holding the ‘gator (jaws taped closed, of course). Others of us were not as thrilled. I myself thought, “Well, these are not as scary as spiders or flying roaches”, but better you than me when it came to hold them.
I thought of this today as we approach many unwanted and unique changes to our normal lives with the COVID-19 virus. This loss of normalcy and the daily, almost constant bombardment of information about this crisis, can seem almost worse than catching it in some cases. Our loss of control and loss of normalcy can be a major stress inducer. As we fight our own fears, as well as try to keep those around us calm, we can experience fear, grief, anxiety, and yes, hope too.
I would like to share with you a message from a Catholic movement called the Focolare. Originating in Italy, this group puts out a little inspiring message each day. For March 17 th they shared, “May hope be reborn in our hearts.” The accompanying meditation is especially relevant for our world dealing with the threat of this virus.As we face this crisis together, let us recognize our fears and not let them overcome us. While we may have those fears in common, we can also have hope in common too. I might be afraid, but it helps me to know that you are praying for me and I am praying for you. Whether we are six feet apart, or six thousand feet apart, we are in this together. Whether I see your posts on social media or from across the grocery store parking lot, I know that we share life as it is. Yes, it is different, but as I like to say, “Different isn’t bad, it’s just different.”
“Reap the positive in corona virus times. The restrictive measures enacted by the authorities are causing a phenomenon, which we can classify as something positive. People being at home rediscover themselves as family, taking an interest in each other. In addition, a chain of solidarity is being created through social networks: young people offer to do shopping for the elderly, fund collection help hospitals, health professionals working for free to strengthen care for people affected by the disease. There are many experiences that I learn about through social networks and that make us reborn with the hope of a more united world. Let us be reborn with hope in our hearts through the “antivirus” called brotherhood.”
May we also know that God has not abandoned us at this time. God is still here in the smile of my neighbor, in the person who is staying home to be safe and keep others safe, and in the sunshine that helps brighten my mood. God is even in my fears, not to add to them, but to give me hope and assurance that He is handling them all.