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May 20, 2020
What are we learning about our world and ourselves during
the COVID-19 pandemic?A reflection by Marie Staffa, Ministry Coordinator
It is said that something had to break. All of creation has a voice, and the earth has been crying out for a long time. We are now in a new territory, but we have also been prepared for this time. It may have come through our faith and walk with Jesus. It may have come through other writers, mystics and activists over the last 70 years.
The virus is teaching us we are all one. This virus does not discriminate and we are on the same journey. We are awakening together and beginning to see what is really essential. People have become compassionate, even in the midst of hoarding. We are now called to face our fears of death, anxiety and stress in ways we never thought possible.
But we have also been motivated to try new things, and in some ways, we have been required to do things we never tried before. We are coming to a new consciousness, and we see that when humanity is united in common cause we find that rapid change is possible. The virus shows us the power of our collective efforts, and when we agree on what is important, amazing things can happen.
Being in isolation has stretched us, and it has penetrated our blood and bones. We seek and long for the day when we can touch a love one or a stranger. We long to hug another and bring comfort to our heroes… our essential workers. We long to hug those who have lost a loved one through death who had no family funeral. Many people also have found that doing everything through Zoom and other virtual tools at times can be dissatisfying and feels odd.
Through all of this, our anxiety with life has risen. But what is important to remember is that what is happening inside each of us is more important than what is happening on the outside. We have come to realize that is not about “me” but rather “we”. So we now can appreciate that this pandemic has caused us to go into retreat and rethink life.
Through this pandemic we look at time differently and seek a new rhythm to our daily lives. We seek answers and what to know when this will end. We want to know how and when a vaccine will be created so that we can go back to some of our normal routines.
Through the Pascal Mystery one wonders—Are we still in our Good Friday?….Is there more to come? Will we know when we are in the tomb of Holy Saturday waiting? What new life will emerge? Can one be patient as we and the earth heal? Do we have the strength to make this journey together? I think that we need to put our trust in the course of time and know that God does not waste time… nor should we. Now is the time to awaken our Divine Potential and shed that which is not living giving.
We are in a liminal space the time between the ‘what was’ and the ‘next’. Fr. Richard Rohr describes liminal space as “a place of transition, waiting, and not knowing…It is when you are between your old comfort zone and any possible new answer.” Liminal space is where all transformation takes place, if we learn to wait and let it form us. During this time we sit and listen to the big questions that are emerging.
Maybe you would like to take out a piece of paper and journal with a few of these questions.- What do these times have to teach us?
- Are you finding new ways to connect with others?
- What do you want to learn or do during this time of retreat?
- What emotions have you been feeling? Can you welcome these emotions?
- What is God saying to you?
- What are you saying to God?
- How might this pandemic inform your life work?
- Where are you being called to surrender?
- Where are you being called to be vulnerable?
- How are you caring for yourself in your life right now?
- When this is over and we’re on the other side, what’s the most important thing you want to make sure you have done?
During this time it is also a great time to focus on the things that I have come to see are important.- Take time to focus on our essential workers and all that they are doing for us and their families.
- Believe that healing is taking place in our world and in our lives, knowing that new life will emerge.
- Take time to quiet your mind and meditate.
- Sit in a space of unknowing and be comfortable with it.
- Do more what nourishes you. Prayer, Cooking, Gardening, Painting, Spending time with family…..
- Take care of yourself physically by going for a walk and eating healthy.
- Make the new ordinary sacred.
- Listen to the birds; open your eyes to nature and feel Spring breaking forth!
- Find a new rhythm in your life.
- Be grateful in everything …. It is counter to anxiety
- Take what you need and leave the rest. Especially in regards to the news!
- Find new ways to stay connected with others.
- Expand your comfort zone by trying something new.
- Be a curious and compassionate person.
- Give yourself permission to do nothing.
- Slow down and take joy in the simple things of life.
What about the future. It is important to know that all these changes are not being felt yet. There are big questions to be answered and we may not know what the answers are until we are on the other side.- What are we going to do with all the pain?
- Are we going to blame others or are we going to work together to fix it?
- How will we transform our pain and grief?
- How will we allow people to lament after this?
- What needs to emerge through all of this?
- Will the crisis help the world focus more on the things that matter most, such as faith and families, or will it do untold damage to both?
- What will we look like after this?
- What will our church look like after this?
- For me, a question remains. If we can change so radically for the virus why can’t we do it for other conditions in our world too? What about: world hunger, homelessness, addiction, suicide, or ecological collapse?
What are you learning about God, the world or yourself during this time? Email me your thoughts at mstaffa@sainthubert.org.