Reflection on lockdown

Yes there is fear.

Yes there is isolation.

Yes there is panic buying.

Yes there is sickness.

Yes there is even death.

But,

They say that in Wuhan, after so many years of noise

You can hear the birds again.

They say that after just a few weeks of quiet

The sky is no longer thick with fumes

But blue and grey and clear.

They say that in the streets of Assisi

People are singing to each other

across the empty squares,

keeping their windows open

so that those who are alone

may hear the sounds of family around them.

They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland

Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.

Today a young woman I know

is busy spreading fliers with her number

through the neighbourhood

So that the elders may have someone to call on.

Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples

are preparing to welcome

and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary.

All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting

All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way

All over the world people are waking up to a new reality

To how big we really are.

To how little control we really have.

To what really matters.

To Love.

So we pray and we remember that

Yes there is fear.

But there does not have to be hate.

Yes there is isolation.

But there does not have to be loneliness.

Yes there is panic buying.

But there does not have to be meanness.

Yes there is sickness.

But there does not have to be disease of the soul.

Yes there is even death.

But there can always be a rebirth of love.

Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.

Today, breathe.

Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic

The birds are singing again

The sky is clearing,

Spring is coming,

And we are always encompassed by Love.

Open the windows of your soul

And though you may not be able

to touch across the empty square,

Sing.

By Fr. Richard Hendrick, OFM

Dave Mermelstein shared this Tricycle interview with Joanna Macy on feeling fortunate to be living in this time of great despair and how we can co-create a life-sustaining culture (4/17/2020).

Beth Adelman shared this NY Times article written by Scott Kelly sharing his experience living on the International Space Station for nearly a year. He gave very good practical advice on how to maintain a routine while working (or having school) from home (3/28/2020).

Pierce Salguero shared this on Facebook (3/14/2020):

“Instead of going around thinking that everyone else has #Covid, reinforcing our suspicion and fear of others, let’s move through the world like we’re the one who’s infected, reinforcing our compassion and concern for others.”

A group leader in the Western Chan Fellowship shared this reflection with Hilary Richards who in turn shared it with Rebecca Li on 3/16/2020