A recent article in The Washington Post spoke of the positive changes in many of our lies that the pandemic has brought, such as slowing down, wearing more comfortable clothing, spending more times reading or with pets. The problem with this article, of course, is that it really speaks to upper middle class persons whose income has not been severely impacted.
For the many working class persons whose very economic existence depends on leaving the house and working as they always did, these so-called benefits do not reflect the reality of their lives. As our society gradually reopens, we must address its inequities.
The pandemic hit working women especially hard because when schools closed many mothers had to leave their jobs to care for their children and to serve as surrogate teachers. We have the opportunity to restructure our society, to open new possibilities just as the warm spring weather opens the buds of many flowers. The question for us is how we will seize this opportunity.
Prayer for the Day
Asking for forgiveness we come to you, God of justice,
For we know that the heart of righteousness is equity;
Erase our secret desires hidden deep inside us,
And to be voices for the voiceless as you call us to be.
In the name of him who is the embodiment of your truth,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Powerlessness and silence go together. We ... should use our privileged positions not as a shelter from the world's reality, but as a platform from which to speak. A voice is a gift. It should be cherished and used.
Margaret Atwood, writer
We do not think ourselves into new ways of living, we live ourselves into new ways of thinking.
Richard Rohr, Franciscan friar and writer
Who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?
Those who walk blamelessly and do what is right,
And speak the truth from their hearts.
Psalm 15:1-2