Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I am writing to help pastorally guide you through all the chaos surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 is a virus that is spreading around the world and is now being transmitted in the Kansas City area. This virus has two main symptoms: 1) A fever (88% of people infected have this) and 2) a dry cough (68% have this, not a wet cough like a cold or the flu). People tend to have this virus for days before they develop the symptoms and can be contagious during this time. The virus is particularly dangerous to those who are over 60 years old. So far there is a fatality rate of 3.6% for 60-69 year olds, 8% for 70-79, and 15% for 80 and up. The virus is especially dangerous for those with “co-morbidities” (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, hypertension, cancer, smoking, obesity, etc). The virus is generally not fatal for healthy people under 60, but they can still be infected, hospitalized, and be “disease vectors” that pass it to others. The virus is transmitted through respiratory particles (the droplets that come out in a cough or heavy breathing). These particles can survive on hands and surfaces for awhile if they are not disinfected.
So what is our response as Christians to the reality that a deadly disease is circulating?
When we gathered on Ash Wednesday we took time to remember that we will all die. This is not something we can avoid. Whether it is COVID-19 or something else, we need to come to terms with our mortality. This is in God’s hands and we do not get to choose how or when we will die. In addition, we will all stand before the Judgment seat of God. We will have to give an account of our lives to God and as Jesus and Paul say, we will be repaid for all of our words and actions. It is in light of this, that we as Christians must cling fervently to faith, hope, and love.
Above all we need to have faith in God’s mercy and his care for us. We need to trust that even if “the deadly disease that stalks at night” comes near and if “ten thousand fall around us, it will still not harm you” (Psalm 91). God can and will protect us with his hand if he so chooses. Yet as Jesus shows us in Matthew 4, we will not be stupid and put God to the test by purposely putting ourselves in harm’s way.
Yet, as we see with Jesus, sometimes our God chooses to not intervene to save us in this life. This is why we are also anchored in hope. We hope in our God who will restore all creation and raise our bodies from the dead. We will die, but God has promised to be with us in it and to give us the resurrection of the body.
Because of our faith and hope, we can finally respond to everything with love. To be a “martyr” in the Christian faith means to be a “witness.” It means to live one’s life with love, even if that leads to death. As Christians we know that it is better to die while being loving than it is to “survive” while living in fear.
Saint Cyprian of Carthage (200-258 AD) wrote beautifully on what a plague or pandemic means for us as Christians:
“Horrible and deadly plagues, reveal the truth of each person. They examine the lives of each person, to see whether the healthy will tend the sick; whether families will love their kindred; whether bosses will pity their suffering workers; whether doctors will not forsake their needy patients; whether the strong will suppress their violence; whether the greedy will allow the fear of death to quench their desires; whether the arrogant will bend their necks in humility; whether the certain will soften their boldness; whether the rich will finally share what they have. All this benefits Christians so we may begin to joyfully desire martyrdom and learn not to fear death. These plagues are trainings for us, not something to fear. They teach our minds to patiently endure in faith. They teach us to prepare for death so we may receive the crown of life.”
COVID-19 is a moment of training for us as Christians. A moment to recenter our faith, hope, and love on the Creator and what he has called us to be in this place. So in light of our faith, hope, and love how will we respond as a church?
- We will continue to gather as a church in our normal location for Bible studies and worship–the Word of God is our very source of life and so we must not forsake it. Please join us if you are not exhibiting symptoms of sickness. However, we will keep 6+ feet of space between ourselves, we will wear masks, we will suspend any handshaking & hugging, and we will wash or sanitize our hands frequently. Such precautions are our way of not putting God to the test. We will continue to be his faithful people while not being reckless or stupid. Note, if the government forbids us to gather in our sanctuary, then we will still gather outdoors at the Disciple Garden.
- We will take care of our bodies for they are God’s Temple. We will work to drink lots of water, get adequate sleep, and eat healthy foods while not putting hurtful substances in our bodies. This is our act of love for the body God has given us.
- We will take care of each other. We will practice social distancing, by wearing masks and staying 6+ feet away from those we don’t live with. If someone in our church gets sick or cannot be out we will make sure they have everything they need. We will pray for them while supporting them in body and soul.
- Finally, we will be open to loving any of our neighbors around us who are in need. Christians in the early church were always willing to share their food and take care of the sick during plagues. These actions expressed their faith in God, their hope in the resurrection, and their love for all of God’s creatures.
Please reach out to me if you have any questions or need anything.
On the Way of Jesus,
Luke