DAY 72
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 ELEVEN: MONDAY 25 MAY 2020
MEMORIAL DAY
We Rise or Fall Together
“This is a challenging and solemn time in the life of our nation and world. A remorseless invisible enemy threatens the elderly and the vulnerable among us. A disease that can quickly take breath in life. Medical professionals are risking their own health for the health of others and we are deeply grateful. Officials at every level are setting up the requirements of public health that protect us all. And we all need to do our part.
“The disease also threatens broader damage: harm to our sense of safety, security, and community. The larger challenge we share is to confront an outbreak of fear and loneliness. … We cannot allow physical separation to become emotional isolation. This requires us to be not only compassionate but creative in our outreach. And people across the nation are using tools of technology in the cause of solidarity.
“At 9/11 I saw a great nation rise as one to honor the brave, to grieve with the grieving, and to embrace unavoidable new duties. And I have no doubt, none at all, that this spirit of service and sacrifice is alive and well in America. Let us remember that empathy and simple kindness are essential, powerful tools of national recovery. Even at an appropriate social distance, we can find ways to be present in the lives of others, to ease their anxiety, and share their burdens.
“Let us remember the suffering we experience as a nation does not fall evenly. It is especially important that we care in practical ways for the elderly, the ill, and the unemployed.
“Let us remember how small our differences are in the face of this shared threat. In the final analysis, we are not partisan combatants, we are human beings, equally vulnerable and equally wonderful, in the sight of God. We rise or fall together and we are determined to rise.”
- President George W. Bush, Saturday 2 May 2020.
“Together…” comes to us from the prepositional prefix “to” and an Old English word for “gather.” It is something we currently are unable to experience with government restrictions currently in place barring gatherings, ‘together’ times. “How good and how pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity.” Psalm 133:1. We still have this potential within us as a nation. Let’s seize it.
Reflective question: On this Memorial Day will you call a veteran or someone of a different political persuasion than you and see how they are doing? And offer to pray for them.
Reflective Scripture: Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, …”
Reflective hymn:
“God of our Fathers” – The National Hymn – Daniel Roberts (1841-1907)
From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence,
Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense;
Thy true religion in our hearts increase,
Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.
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