Day 41: “The Blurring of the Days”

DAY 41

Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic

A series of daily reflections for people of faith

by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland

WEEK SIX: FRIDAY 24 APRIL 2020

“The Blurring of the Days”

“Days blend together when so much of what used to distinguish them has been paused.  Bridge clubs on hold. Graduation ceremonies are cancelled. This week’s religious services have been virtual. Those who live alone are vulnerable, particularly the elderly. We must all fight against the blurring of the days by establishing a routine.” - Dr. Daniel Kaplan, President, New York State Psychological Association, Sunday evening television news program 12 April 2020

Recently five of us planned an evening recording event of a worship service on Zoom and none of us realized it was the night of our monthly meetings of all committees. Unaware of any blurring of the days, all of us missed it.

Dr. Kaplan in the interview cited above encourages us to establish routines to deal with this blurring of the days. Good advice – and ancient as well. In the midst of a time of great stress in his life the Psalmist David established a routine: “But I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon, I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.” Psalm 55:17. Daniel kept a faithful routine in a hostile environment where any public display of allegiance to the God of the universe would have meant sure death. So, “…when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room…Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” Daniel 6:10    

By the fourth century Christians were creating and embracing regular routines for prayer, with 5 to 9 separate prayer times. While still followed by Roman Catholic and Anglican orders, one Protestant remnant is a staple of Presbyterian summer evening campfires: Vespers.

Reflective question: During this time of a pandemic, when familiar routines are set aside and days have a tendency to become blurred, will you follow David, Daniel and early Christians and establish a routine of prayer and reading God’s Word in order to stay balanced and focused?

Reflective scripture: Psalm 90:12

"So teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Reflective hymn: Day by Day – Carolina Berg (1832-1903)

Every day the Lord Himself is near me with a special mercy for each hour.

All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me, He whose Name is Counselor and Pow’r.

The protection of His child and treasure is a charge that on Himself He laid.

“As your days, your strength shall be in measure,” this the pledge to me He made.