Saturday, October 24, 2020
On Friday Governor Murphy signed legislation instituting reforms at nursing homes and other long-term care (LTC) facilities. The legislation requires certain direct care staff to patient ratios, minimums of nursing supervisors, and other measures to improve the quality of care for patients and residents.
And not a moment too soon for New Jersey is now experiencing over 1,000 new Covid cases daily and Connecticut is hovering around 480 new cases daily. Some here in New Jersey, as well as New York, were quick to blame crowds at the recent Jewish holidays, others on kids and teachers in the schools, still others on what one doctor called “pandemic fatigue.”
We’ve become so used to being able to do what we want when we want, and how we want that we’ve forgotten that we live in a broader community with responsibilities to the community. The death toll may not be as high as it was in March or April, but we need to remember that it could happen again if we don’t care for ourselves or each other.
Prayer for the Day
O Lord, you impart to us a love that surpasses even justice
For you accept those who turn to you even at the last hour.
May your mercy be a model for us as we strive for justice,
And your forgiveness an example of how we should live.
You have given us the free gift of your grace;
May we share your grace with those around us.
In the name of him who extends mercy to all,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen
Thoughts for the Day
A waiting person is a patient person. The word patience means the willingness to stay where we are and live the situation out to the full in the belief that something hidden there will manifest itself to us.
Henri J. Nouwen, theologian (1932–1996)
Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don't give up.
Annie Lamott, American writer
Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for God;
do not fret over those who prosper in their way,
over those who carry out evil devices.
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
Do not fret––it leads only to evil.
Psalm 37:7–8