The foundations of our world seem shaky, unstable. People everywhere are challenged by a global crisis not experienced in our lifetime. This pandemic continues to escalate and no one can predict its end. Good Shepherd communities, ministries and organisations all over the world are struggling to cope with the impact.
As we share our stories of illness and death, enforced isolation, changed patterns of living and working, collapse of industries and businesses, loss of income and work, pressure on health systems and danger to frontline health workers we look for inspiration and hope. Many Good Shepherd communities and organisations, in the midst of crisis, look to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their members and those around them, while continuing to prioritise the people who need the services of their programs and who are most vulnerable to these times.
Let us commit ourselves in solidarity with each other and people everywhere.
Sr Ellen Kelly, Congregational Leader shares her reflections, describing the pandemic as “…calling us to live communion, interconnectedness and relationality with all people and oneness with all creation. No more tribes and ‘My country first’ at the expense of others. The reality is we are ONE, In this time of crisis many are feeling the sadness and suffering of others in a manner that most of us never knew before. Even when in Lockdown we desire to find ways to connect, to bring some joy to people we may not even know. Think of those playing music on the balcony.
Watch the video of Ellen’s message, and read it below:
Video link here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J90ZcVqdT7M&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR0- J74BV0WOzrPv20F5Phd3J6iFw4fi7Tw6YUDyHvyFTew3NjmVzal80uQ
Read – 2020.03.26 Message from Sr Ellen Kelly
Multi-billionaire Gates, 64 – who donated £85 million to combat the virus last month – believes that despite the chaos, there is ‘a spiritual purpose behind everything that happens’.
Read his open letter, entitled ‘What is the Corona/Covid-19 Virus Really Teaching us?’ His message resonates well with Good Shepherd spirit and vision.
Click here – 2020 Open Letter from Bill Gates
What if you thought of it as the Jews consider the Sabbath –
the most sacred of times?
Cease from travel. Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now, on trying to make the world
different than it is.
Sing. Pray. Touch only those to whom you commit your life.
Centre down.
And when your body has become still, reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now.)
Know that our lives are in one another’s hands.
(Surely, that has come clear.)
Do not reach out your hands. Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils of compassion that move, invisibly, where we cannot touch.
Promise this world your love – for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health, so long as we all shall live.
Lynn Ungar is a Unitarian Universalist Minister
11 March 2020
Good Shepherd Sisters Myanmar