Lockdown. Look up.

Lockdown. Look up.

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

That 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 homebound.

Today a young woman I know is busy spreading flyers 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 waking up to a new reality

To know how big we really are, to know 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 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 accompanied by Love.

Open the windows of your soul

And though you may not be able to touch across the empty square,

Sing.

 

Author

Father Richard Hendrick

OFM, March 13 2020

The above was shared with me by my friend Louise...thank you.