I look forward to when we look back on this time and reflect. I hope to make it to the “other side” with my loved ones still with me. Until that moment, I try to take each day one at a time. The path thus far has been a windy road with ups and downs. Times with energy and focus, times of weariness, angst, and a sense of discouragement. As time passes, in some ways, things become more confusing. We have more questions than answers and an overflow of fist-waving opinions. The promise of a “new normal” has slipped into a reality wrought with discord, positioning, and diminishing those who differ in thought. The “we” in discourse has become “I.” The “we need to….” replaced with “I want to….”
This post is not to debate whether our governments are tyrannical or not doing enough. I choose to see COVID-19 as a health issue and not a political one, despite politicizing news and social media. The pandemic has affected all people worldwide. I also want to believe that most leaders, regardless of political affiliation, are trying their best to make the right decision with conflicting information, evidence, and priorities.
Our family has opted to take a more cautious approach to re-opening. The last time an infection attacked Peter’s lungs, he spent three months in the hospital (mostly) on a ventilator. During which we were instructed to start end of life plans. I’ve shared his miracle story so many times. I am still in awe of the gift of Peter’s life, but I also feel responsible for protecting this gift to the best of my human abilities.
As I reflect on the debates today about community restrictions vs. individual freedoms – I think of like arguments on the church.
As a Catholic, I often hear non-Catholic friends talk about Catholic guilt – a tactic of fear to induce the desired behavior. As a Christian, I listen to non-Christians talk about the restrictiveness of the commandments. A limiting of individual expression and the punishment for non-conforming actions. Old-fashioned rules that are no longer applicable in our modern and progressive world. A “mob mentality” that restricts the individual pursuit of self, of happiness, of freedom. A “toxic mindset,” not anchored in science that arbitrarily assigns right from wrong that conflicts with my definition of right and wrong.
I understand the view. I have plenty of times grumbled about my human desire to do what I want to do and believe in no consequences to those around me. A desire to create my truths so that, in all honesty, I am not wrong! But, the reality is that I am one of the billions that live on this earth. I am not alone, even when I distance myself. My actions have a consequence to those around me.
As humans, we seek “freedom from” what seems oppressive, limiting, contrary to our wants – obstacles to our happiness. Jesus is not about taking away our freedom, but instead gifting us a “freedom to.”
Freedom to chose Him
Freedom to serve others
Freedom to do good
Freedom to rejoice
Freedom to proclaim peace
What Jesus did not offer us is a “freedom to do whatever I want to do.” In his eternal love and wisdom, his gift comes with our Father’s commandments as guidelines. A set of “instructions” on how to live in communion together, free from sin.
So how does this come back to the era of COVID-19?
Like it or not, my family is one of the “vulnerable few.” We aren’t a statistic in a faraway land that is so distant it seems almost unreal and easy to ignore. As this time in history began, there was a “comforting” news byte that traveled the world: “only the vulnerable” are at risk. Some spoke up with a response of “your only is my everything.”
Yes…..your ONLY is my EVERYTHING.
We live in 2020, a year fraught with political unrest, election positioning, and social justice issues. In the midst of it, I ask that you consider COVID-19 as a social health issue. A threat to life, and not a political threat. To shift from “freedom from” to “freedom to.” “Freedom to protect life” instead of “freedom from government oppression.”
We all want to get out and have a sense of normalcy again. We all want the benefits of the life we used to have but underappreciated at the time. We can’t go back to the way it was – the virus is here. The virus will continue to be here.
Some may never be impacted.
Some may lose their lives.
Others may live with a life-long impact of the virus.
Until we have a safe way to treat and protect the most defenseless in our communities, I ask you to exercise your God-given freedom to protect the most vulnerable. The lives of the most vulnerable should not be viewed as less than and left behind in the pursuit of freedom from caring for the least among us.
We pray for the comfort and healing of our world.
xoxo
Catherine