Day 59: Reconciling the Pandemic with the Nation’s Self-Image

DAY 59

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 NINE: TUESDAY 12 MAY 2020

Reconciling the Pandemic with the Nation’s Self-Image

“‘It can’t happen here’ is an enduring refrain in American culture, a reflection of the idea … that the United States has a special destiny and stands apart from the forces shaping the rest of the world. Now with a devastating global pandemic definitely happening here, much of the nation is asking how and why and what it means that a country that sees itself as the world’s wealthiest, most powerful and scientifically advanced leads the world in both cases and confirmed deaths.” Newspaper article 29 April 2020 

On March 21, 1630 a Puritan preacher, John Winthrop in Southampton, England delivered an address to a group of Puritans about to embark on a journey to the new world. These Massachusetts Bay settlers were told that what they were about to establish would be as “a city upon a hill, the eyes of all people upon us.” A number of Presidents have employed Winthrop’s image of “a city on a hill” in their addresses to the American public, most recently President Ronald Reagan. In our history it became the basis for a belief in an ‘exceptionalism’ built on top of a controversial doctrine of Manifest Destiny resulting in a nation that perceives itself as different from all other nations, set apart, some would say, by God.

Plagues and pandemics can function as levelers among the nations of the world, and within the United States among various social, ethnic and economic classes. No country is immune, no segment of society is immune, no one enjoys a perceived exceptional status from God. Indeed, only one nation in history has enjoyed that status, the ancient nation of Israel, a theocracy, ruled by God.

So we as a nation and we as individuals are being given a sober opportunity to assess our image of ourselves, to reflect on our status in the world, recognizing that a perceived exceptionalism provides no protection from an invisible virus that knows no borders. It takes a humble heart for an individual, as well as a nation, to look to either side of ourselves and see the rest of humanity, not below us, but shoulder to shoulder with us on this pandemic journey of life.

Reflective question: Are you thankful for this wonderful country in which we live? Pray for it.

Reflective Scripture: Acts 17:26 - “And he made from one man every nation to live on all the face of the earth, …”

Reflective hymn:

“O God of Every Nation” – William Reid Jr. (1923-2007)

O God of every nation, of every race and land,

redeem the whole creation with your almighty hand.

Where hate and fear divide us and bitter threats are hurled,

in love and mercy guide us and heal our strife-torn world.