Learning New Normal

Our normal ways of doing life have been radically interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. Finding healthy and productive routines proves to be a challenge for everyone I speak with. Isolation from friends and extended family while experiencing hyperbolic interactions within our sheltered homes produces a yearning for the good old days of being able to freely associate when and where we desire.

With so much put on hold we crave any sliver of normalcy that we can cling to, but we may of necessity learn new ways to experience normal. With Holy Week upon us one of the biggest topics of late is when will we be able to freely assemble in our various houses of worship. Many churches are making use of technology and a few are defying CDC guidance to cancel large public gatherings. How we “do” church seems to have become more important than “being” the church.

This reminds me of when St. Stephen laid out how the Temple had become the focus of Hebrew worship proclaiming "However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: 'Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the LORD, Or what is the place of My rest? Has My hand not made all these things?'" (Acts 7:48-50)

Our dependence on a prescribed time and place to do church is an impediment to authentic relationships that should exist outside the four walls of the church building. That dependence on a prescribed time and place for worship also hinders our fully experiencing the Living creator of the Universe on a daily basis.

I wrote in an earlier blog post:

“I am trying to see the sacred in everyday moments realizing that family life, interactions with friends and strangers, even putting in an honest day’s work are all sacred expressions of being in the Way. I am trying to develop a daily spiritual practice, knowing that committing to it isn’t the way to salvation but only a way to help me keep a spiritual focus throughout the day. I prefer quiet moments, spending time in nature, prayer, and reading the Psalms as ways to help me focus.”

Hopefully when this pandemic is over we will have found for ourselves a more deeply personal faith that in turn moves us to nurture authentic relationships with our neighbors rather than returning to a church in isolation behind stained glass windows.

Peace, Love and Light!

Kevin (Cloud)