Reader Writes - May 2020

With the arrows of pestilence flying over our heads, at the time of writing we wait to see how many land amongst us. It’s perhaps right to acknowledge an apocalyptic view before looking to the positives. Scientists and environmentalists have for decades been warning of the consequences of abusing the earth and its complex web of glorious life. Those who did the Archbishop’s recommended Live Lent meditations on the environment, which were excellent, will have daily contemplated the fact that the earth is not ours. We are but pilgrims and new-comers passing through it with a responsibility to pass it on safely to our children. When we take for ourselves the crown of creation, that rightly belongs to the Creator alone, we are heading for trouble. It only takes a virus to punctuate global hubris, as fans of Atwood’s Oryx and Crake well know.

But love in a time of contagion is flourishing; notwithstanding personal tragedies there is so much to learn and to hope for. Very quickly there sprang up a telephone system for taking care of neighbours and friends. I’ve written some ‘you never know’ notes to old friends and had conversations I’ve neglected inexcusably before. Self-isolation, if you are privileged to have books, a garden and quiet lanes, has been a special unexpected treat. The train-crash of the economy has caused us to pray for our Government, both for wisdom and courage; an economy with more resilience, less useless “stuff”, and paying fully and fairly for environmental costs, would arrest even climate breakdown. Come on profs, write that manual Capitalism in a Time of Contagion.

And what about the spiritual fall out? In both the present time and in eternity, where scripture promises a transformed universe, there are rock solid grounds for hope. Those of faith will praise and pray like never before, and those seeking faith should speak urgently to God about it! Simple as that. But let’s all of us heed scripture’s frequent encouragement not to fear but to be courageous and have faith. There is a good example for us in Matthew 8. Jesus and the disciples get in a boat one evening to cross the Sea of Galilee. A ferocious storm engulfs them and they are terrified; except for Jesus who is fast asleep. They wake him up when the boat is taking on water and close to sinking. Jesus asks, shouting above the wind, ‘Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?’ He then rebukes the storm and there was a great calm, and relief and awe in the boat.

Let’s learn something to help in the present tumult of Covid-19. The disciples were looking at the storm, and of course it terrified them. But all this time, Jesus, the author of all creation, was right there in the boat with them. He never left them or abandoned them; they were just looking at the storm rather than the Lord who has authority over all dangers. Let us exercise faith, be courageous and embrace God’s plan for us in eternity. Jesus is here with us, in the same imperilled boat of our lives and world. If you are not used to bothering him, he would like to be woken up and invited to get involved with us! Lord, bless us and keep us at this time; let us learn enduring faith while you calm this storm.

Robert MacCurrach