COVID: The New Leprosy

"Have you had your vaccine yet?"  is on almost everyones' lips these days.  

I was standing at the back of church with my family, and a woman approached and joined the circle. She let me know she had been vaccinated and asked if I had.  Because she turned to talk only to me, we were no longer in the circle.  I informed her that I had not been vaccinated, upon which she turned her back to me, closing the circle with my family and left me standing on the outside of it.   

Vaccine shaming is now a fad. 

There was a very long opinion piece in the newspaper last weekend with the writer proclaiming that it was his right to know if others are vaccinated or not.  Really?  His RIGHT?  Does he also have the right to know my marital status, how many children I have, where I go to church and what kind of car I drive?  How about if I have a mental illness or AIDS, or for whom I voted? 

In the Old Testament it was declared that those with Leprosy "cover his upper lip and cry 'unclean, unclean'". (Leviticus 13)

Today, our upper lip, and indeed half of our face, is covered up.  If we have Covid or have merely been near someone with Covid we have to quarantine; our version of yelling "unclean, unclean".

My tenacious one is going to be in a school play soon.  Because of the 10 day quarantine mandate in case of exposure, she is terrified (not an exaggeration) of being near anyone who might have, maybe been exposed because then she would likely miss, if not most of the tech week rehearsals, but perhaps the play itself. This is the play they were supposed to perform last year, the week they shut down the school.  She has been looking forward to it for a year.  To have to miss because of a possibility of exposure seems quite drastic. 

I used love to walk in our beautiful neighborhood and greet others along the sidewalk.  It is much less pleasant these days when other walkers go out of their way to avoid you.  

Being in church and not being able to see others' smiles and give a sign of peace feels like being in a sea of strangers rather than fellow Christians who love each other. I am grateful the Holy Water is back! One step at a time, I guess.

I look forward to a time when conversation does not revolve around Covid or the "vaccine" (a topic for another blog perhaps). 

Until then, I will refuse to wear a mask outside. If I feel sick, I will stay home and I will be cautious around others so they feel cared for. 

Prayers for all who have lost loved ones to Covid and prayers that soon quarantining will be a thing in our past so that no one has to feel like a leper anymore. 

Are We In For "The Hunger Games?"

This book is so timely. Looking around our world, we see a people who no longer want God anywhere near. We want to be in charge of everything even if it means trampling those around us. 

This book is that, to the nth degree. 

After the war, the Hunger Games were begun to keep the Districts in their place and under the thumb of the Capitol. Coriolanus Snow is out to save himself and his family's name. Coryo finds himself in a position to do just that when he is selected to be a mentor for the tribute from District 12 who is one of 24 "contestants" in the Games. 

He needs to help Lucy Gray win so he can, as the saying goes about snow, "land on top." 

The trouble is, he falls for Lucy Gray. 

But Lucy Gray is no innocent tribute. She brings her own needs to the games and her own desire to land on top. 

What a web gets woven. 

As you read this book, look at the world around you and see the parallels. Ask yourself, "Who needs to be on top?" 

My answer: Christ. 

Or we all go the way of the Games.

Gratitude

I find that gratitude combats a lot of negativity.

I have a "One Thousand Gifts Journal" that I write in frequently.  If you have not read "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp I highly recommend it!

Anyway, being stuck at home could cause a bit of stress and negativity if I were to allow it.

I decide on gratitude.

Here's what I'm grateful for today:

• Family dinners with fun conversations and laughter
• Jigsaw puzzles throughout the house

(We're a tad competitive and like to do our own. :-)  ) 

• Masses streamed live to my computer (though I really, really miss the Eucharist)
• Nightly walks with Wayne
• Lots of Snapchats, FaceTimes and texts with family
• Getting spring cleaning done
• That the mail is still getting delivered
• That our pantry and freezer are full
• Our furnace, hot water heater, dishwasher, washer and dryer all work
• Our kids love each other (they went and got Shamrock shakes together last night) 
• The sunrise through my dining room window 

Stay well! 

My other blog

The Necessity of Using "Free Time" Well

Turn on the news, open your email, call a friend and chances are  COVID-19 is what is talked about.

The Corona virus is on everyones' minds. You can't seem to get away from it.

My son works at a microbrewery and he woke up to an email that told him the brewery has been closed.  My daughter works at a bagel shop and they are open, but only for take out.

Schools are closed and spring break was switched to this week so the teachers can prepare for online learning.  Thus the kids are free, the young adults are a little more free and the parents are not so free anymore.

I don't work outside of the home but I am taking a college course which has been postponed for a week so I am a bit freer but with company.

Because we have more time on our hands we have to choose to spend this free time well.

I used to start my day with Adoration and Mass, but alas that has been curtailed.  However, I thoroughly enjoyed the Mass I watched online this morning that was broadcast by EWTN. The priest was told that his planned homily was 10 minutes too short given the vast increase in viewers that was expected.  Therefore, he spent 10 minutes telling stories about his relationship with a fellow friar.   He was so funny!

After that, his regular homily was great too~though I admit I remember the stories more.

After that 50 minute interlude in my day, I had to decide what else to do to keep busy.

I could waste time on the internet, watch some tv, or bemoan the fact that I'm stuck at home.

I chose none of these.  The thing the world needs more of right now is prayer.   So, I prayed.

I prayed my Rosary while I ironed; I sang praise and worship songs while I cleaned out a closet and I prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy while I took a walk.

I have kept busy doing laundry and dishes and talking on the phone to my mom who is close by but doesn't really want company right now.

I have a bunch of books to read when the work is done.  I plan to make it quality reading. My newest purchase is "Salvation: What Every Catholic Should Know" by Michael Barber ($2 at my church) is calling to me.

I also have two new jigsaw puzzles, one 500 and one 750 pieces.  Those should keep me busy for a few days and the "kids" can help which gives us bonding time.

Speaking of bonding time: Joe is currently dying Claire's hair and they are TALKING!!   Music to my ears.

What are you doing with your free time?

May we all spend more time in prayer and in encountering Christ in those with whom we will be spending a lot of time for the new few weeks.

Stay well.

My other blog