Wood Chips
From the shores of Lake Superior (The Third Coast)
I’m going to suggest there is danger of focusing, too much, on the spread of the coronavirus by those of us still free of Covid-19, trying to seek comfort that we will miss “the silver bullet.” In times of collective fear and desperation, there’s always the temptation that we can avoid our human mortality. These are days that carry a wake-up call to the suffering that is part of being human, a shaking knowledge of our vulnerability. By identifying with those who are suffering around us, we have the opportunity to live more compassionate, useful lives.
Such a pandemic like the one we are facing is not new to the planet. More will follow. What may be a real lesson is the illusion that, if we somehow escape the ravage of this particular epidemic, we’ll be OK. Those in the health field know all too well that experiences of illness and death don’t disappear. But now, we are faced with it in a dramatic, frightening way. Times like these are spiritually hard teachers. A time to review what we have been given, how we are to use those gifts, and to what end and in what larger story are we living.
Trying to preserve and escape is one thing. Shaping our lives around the mystery of these deeper questions is another. It’s wise for all of us to set aside some quiet time, on a regular basis, to ponder what is being asked specifically of each of us during these days. Then, as best we’re able, let’s help one another do it.
Jon
The Cedar Tree Institute
“Wood Chips” is a series of brief reflections written by Jon Magnuson, Director of the Cedar Tree Institute.
