Silver Linings

Dear ones: As we enter this unprecedented situation brought on by the novel corona virus, I am struck by the many silver linings hidden within. Global pollution: down. Global consumption of unnecessary items: down. Frivolous, self-indulgent travel/vacations: down. From an environmental standpoint, this great global "pause" gives us all a chance to review and redefine all our purchases and activities And as we move forward, after the acute phase of this crisis passes, perhaps we can make decisions collectively that favor the health of all our global family - including the plants and animals with which we share this web of life.

You are invited to join the CV19 Peace & Love Brigade.  The Brigade’s intention is to move the needle away from the red zone of fear and panic which are now palpable energy fields in the human environment.  The only membership requirement is that you carry and spread peace and love to others.  It can be through thoughts, meditation, words, cards, posts, interactions and/or any other option(s). Go forth and spread it until it’s contagious!  The Peace and Love Brigade will SPREAD LOVE NOT FEAR. 

Lockdown (A powerful poem by a Capuchin priest about dealing with fear)

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.

~Fr. Richard Hendrick