Comfort from CS Lewis and St. Patrick

From Psalm 146, “Happy is the person whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his/her God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them – the Lord remains faithful forever.”

Today brings more uncertainty as another case of the coronavirus is diagnosed in Beaufort County and the possibility of “shutter in place” is a growing possibility in some areas around the country. Will it happen to us? Shelves in local grocery stores are running a little thin, especially meat and paper items, and the Governor has just mandated the discontinuance of inhouse dining beginning tomorrow which will adversely affect our local restaurants and bars. (Please know this is not a criticism of the Governor. He is working with others to contain the virus.) Chefs, cooks, waiters, dishwashers, bartenders, and entertainers will now sit at home hoping and praying for a quick conclusion to this inconvenient and scary hiatus. There are bills to pay. What will tomorrow be like?

In 1948, C. S. Lewis wrote an essay addressing the growing concern about living in the new atomic age. What he wrote 72 years ago has particular relevance for us today as we deal with a deadly serious global pandemic. If and when the (virus in place of bomb) comes to our front door step, let the (virus) find us doing sensible and human things – praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing golf and tennis, chatting with family members over a pint and a game of darts, not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about what lurks around the corner. The (virus) may have the capacity to break our bodies but it need not dominate our minds.” (“On Living in an Atomic Age” (1948) in Present Concerns: Journalistic Essays)

Kay is staying at home not because she is feeling ill but instead to honor and respect the advice and guidance of our public health officials and government agencies. I have been in the office each day and to the grocery store but I have been careful to avoid any and all personal contact. Kay piddles around the house doing a little bit of this and a little bit of that while I tackle a wee bit of administrative work in my study putting together thoughts for the liturgy and prayers that will be included in this Sunday’s bulletin, which will be emailed to you on Friday. By the grace of God, the coronavirus will not catch any of us but as it lurks close by, may it not find us huddled together like frightened sheep but doing sensible and human things at home.

As St. Patrick’s Day comes to a close, I invite you to pray with me – “I bind unto myself today the strong name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three. I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead, God’s eye to watch, God’s might to stay, God’s ear to hearken to my need, the wisdom of my God to teach, God’s hand to guide, God’s shield to ward, the word of God to give me speech, God’s heavenly host to be my guard. I bind unto myself the name, the strong name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the THree in One, the One in Three, of whom all nature has creation, eternal Father, Spirit, Word. Praise to the Lord of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord. Amen.” (Patrick of Ireland (c. 389-461)

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Steve Keeler, Pastor