Yes...

[4woody]

Lockdown

Yes there is fear.

Yes there is isolation.

Yes there is panic buying.

Yes there is sickness.

Yes there is even death.

But,

They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise

You can hear the birds again.

They say that after just a few weeks of quiet

The sky is no longer thick with fumes

But blue and grey and clear.

They say that in the streets of Assisi

People are singing to each other

across the empty squares,

keeping their windows open

so that those who are alone

may hear the sounds of family around them.

They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland

Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.

Today a young woman I know

is busy spreading fliers with her number

through the neighbourhood

So that the elders may have someone to call on.

Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples

are preparing to welcome

and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary

All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting

All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way

All over the world people are waking up to a new reality

To how big we really are.

To how little control we really have.

To what really matters.

To Love.

So we pray and we remember that

Yes there is fear.

But there does not have to be hate.

Yes there is isolation.

But there does not have to be loneliness.

Yes there is panic buying.

But there does not have to be meanness.

Yes there is sickness.

But there does not have to be disease of the soul

Yes there is even death.

But there can always be a rebirth of love.

Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.

Today, breathe.

Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic

The birds are singing again

The sky is clearing,

Spring is coming,

And we are always encompassed by Love.

Open the windows of your soul

And though you may not be able

to touch across the empty square,

Sing.

Fr. Richard Hendrick, OFM

March 13th 2020

[Hidden]

Good post!

[4woody in reply to Hidden]

☺️

[teemo1]

Beautiful, thank you!

[4woody in reply to teemo1]

😊

[fauxartist]

Absolutely stunning....beautiful. thank you so much for this read this morning. My heart is full.

[4woody in reply to fauxartist]

🙂

[Sprinkle1]

You or whoever wrote this is right on. I live my life without fear, I made up my mind at 16, fear was not going to rule my life, now I am 77 and not afraid. I have been house bound for over a week now, which I do not mind, yesterday when I was out on my deck a little bird was singing its heart out, It sounded like it said "Yes", Yes to we shall overcome. To bad we have so many stupid, self centered, greedy thoughtless among-st us. Yes I hope this will bring out the humanity in us, caring for ourselves properly and caring for others.....I live in a senior community, so far no one has rung to see if I am OK or need anything!!! I may be house bound, but I am getting on with my life, I have signed up to talk with people who feel lonely or frightened. Cannot do much more.....Once again thank you for this, I hope a Lot of our members read it and take it to heart. Stay well,

sending love and virtual hugs.....Sprinkle 1.....

[4woody in reply to Sprinkle1]

well done sprinkle!