Living in coronavirusworld 24: faith plus imagination equals hope

4/15

Looking across the Reservoir

As I join our morning conversation, my friends are talking about “opening back up,” as in when and how and do any of us trust the government to act with greatest concern for life, not the economy? We find the tone of the administrations' conversation troubling. 

Before we start discussing our reading, I share my three Jackie hats in honor of the anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the  Major League color barrier in 1947. Good to remember. Some things do change. 

Jackie, 1945 Kansas City Monarchs, 1946 Montreal Royals, 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers, 2015 Uni-Watch

When we talk about Camus’ “the Plague, ” we note with irony how when we read a book set in circumstances similar  to our own, we’re troubled by the  open cafes and the apparent  lack of social distancing.  We’re struck by how Camus’ Doctor’s belief the our not believing is actually a kindness to God, under the circumstances, relieving God of the necessity of taking responsibility for the suffering. And that the long hours of care put in by the doctor and others are not any particular heroism, but just common decency. Like that we see around us right now.

When two characters are discussing impatience with the progress of the plague and the quarantine, they turned to a football (soccer) analogy. One says we need to remember what t take sot get to the goal, the serves and runs and passes. And the other replies Yes, but a football game only lasts 90 minutes, and we know how they felt. 

As Sam speaks of her work , making and taking sandwiches to the poor, we find that she is a member of Sant’ Egidio, that lay led Roman Catholic global community of service and witness based in Rome. (https://www.santegidio.org/pageID/1/langID/en/HOME.html)   Their commitment to non-judgmental service where they are has gained them the trust of many group around the work and has led to their being trusted as mediators in may locations of conflict around the globe from Africa to the Philippines. While activists for justice have often been critical of service ministries, Sant’Egidio has clearly  demonstrated that engaged service combined with reflection

 can lead to radically transformative ministry.  Especially important in communities where municipalities have turned  to preventing the  feeding of homeless people.

Peter wants to know if she feels called.  She is aware of the diviie spirit within, and as Clyde agrees, we should  never glorify suffering, only work to relieve it. 

As always, Russ wants to know what our job is. The examples of Dorothy Day and Mother Theresa are brought up. I’m pretty clear I have no desire to live in a Catholic Worker House.  We speak of risk. And the importance and value of monasteries in their various forms and the value of those who hold up the world in prayer.  Steve H wants to create a nightly circle of prayer at a given hour. 

As we share out various stories-of quarantine, many of our circle are reflecting on families. I realize that Sam and I are the only ones within our  circle without family or partners.  My only real life human contact has been with my sometime walking partner. 

As a moment of absurdity, I point out that the Governor of Florida has declared WWE (professional wrestling) to be essential employment. This is Florida.  

We turn to the value and quality and necessity of lament.  Especially at this time.  Stephen P believes that in order for democracy to survive, we need a critical mass of lament, the spiritual practice of true remorse. Which is not guilt. I point out that guilt is its own reward. Guilt blocks change. Remorse opens  the door to it.  With a President who asserts total authority, the question is all we have democracy?

Joel points out  that (he read) that fear plus imagination equals despair while faith plus imagination equals hope.

When we consider the inequity of how the virus affects the African American community,  it seems almost strategic. As if Detroit is being bled for the Michigan vote. (“Don’t call that lady governor,” the President says.)

Steve P recommends to us Democracy at Work, by Rick Wolfe as an example of fantod way to organize work. We note that w have never actually been a democracy,

Apparently Artistotle said democracy was the dictatorship of the poor, because there are so many of them. But as Joel says, if we really had democracy, we’d have less poor.

W talk about our call again, And I say it’s not about developing big master plans and strategies before we begin. It's about answering the knock at the door. Responding to what God puts before us.  Like my friend John Fife i Tucson responding to a knock on the door and the sanctuary movement begins. It is clearly a big knock now. A loud knock now. 

Steven H wants his prayer of self dedication to chef-in chic up, check out. 

And as we seek for clarity, the mystery remains.

Later in the day, I need a long walk. I’m feeling the angriest I have yet. I can’t fathom 17000 dead New York City people. Over 5 times 9-11. We inscribed themes of  dead of 9-11 on a memorial. The dead of Covid 19 are on their way to Hart Island, potters field.  I’m reflecting on the choices we make the lead us to life Wirth another or life alone. The effects are usually not so stark. 

Along walk to the Central Park Reservoir, I look cross the water, peaceful and quiet in thelate afternoon.

I see someone’s poster, looking for a partner. Yeah its anger lonely out there.

It gets lonely out there

My friends Joe and Carrie, Hot Glue & the Gun, host their first “Gluey Zoomie”show, with visual art and meditation and music and zaniness and an embrace of life while saying something important about healing in an entertaining non-didactic way. Twisting the night away. (http://www.hotglueandthegun.com/)