Many have read announcements from faith communities with the similar phrasing: “Due to the current pandemic, (insert faith community name here) will suspend all services and other activities for (enter length of time)”. Some of us will miss participating in the Mass, singing hymns, coffee hour, and other rituals that bind communities of faith.
But fear not! This is a great opportunity to strengthen our spiritual lives in ways that often come when our lives are stilled. Here are some practices we can implement as we also practice our social distancing and our quarantines.
1. Reading the Bible: Ok. Ready for this? Some of us attend churches where both Word and Sacrament are pillars of worship, but if we are honest, the actual practice is Sacrament over Word. We love the beauty of the Eucharistic rituals, yet there is not a bible to be found in the pews: only prayer books and hymnals. Some of us need to brush up on the Word of God and meditate on it day and night (Joshua 1:8).
2. Praying for the Health of the World: Try praying for health with the mindset of, “my neighbor on the earth” instead of “those people over there”.
3. Thankfulness: Thankfulness? Yes. You are alive reading this article. Take into account all that God has done in your life and in the lives of others.
4. Praying For The Needs Of Others: Store shelves are empty, people are hoarding. It’s a anxious time. But some of us don’t have the means to make substantial preparations for ourselves and our loved ones. However, we can put into practice what is written in Hebrews 4:16 which states, “Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
5. Fasting: Not a fun thing to do when you’re secluded in your home. Yet in such a time is this, some of us may feel called to deepen our prayer life and boldly pray for guidance and deliverance.
6. Reaching Out By Calling or Texting Someone: This can be a lonely time for many- even if they are surrounded by family and loved one’s. Even while we socially distance ourselves, we can still reach out and have relationship with one another. We can still operate in community without congregating. Try it out.
7. Giving From Abundance: If you know of someone in need during this time of social distancing and you have that particular thing to give; in the words of one of my favorite phrases in the movie Home Alone: Leave it on the doorstep and get the hell outta here! With love, of course.
May God save us, and give us peace.
Photo credit: indiatimes.com
The Hippie Theologian 
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