But, listening involves suspending judgement while we let another speak what may be disagreeable or offensive to us. We have become very sensitive and reactive to ideas, speech, and actions that do not align with our values or culture or beliefs. There is a way to listen, however, to seek understanding compassionately, which does not necessarily “yield ground” or agree with another’s point of view, but meets them in the middle , a place which is defined and protected by a higher belief and principle of common humanity, of respect.

In the words of the former president, George W Bush, “The only way to see ourselves in a true light is to listen to the voices of so many who are hurting and grieving.” (See his statement here.)

Let us seek to find courage enough to open our ears and hearts to each other.

Prayers for Nation and for Peace
(from The Book of Common Prayer, p. 258)

“Lord God Almighty,
You have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory
to serve you in freedom and in peace:
Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice
and the strength of forbearance,
that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, for ever and ever. Amen”

“Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart
the true love of peace,
and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel
for the nations of the earth,
that in tranquility your dominion may increase
until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love:
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and forever. Amen”

Below are encouraging words from C.S. Lewis, written 72 years ago, after the first atom bomb was dropped.  The word coronavirus has been inserted to replace the atom bomb.

“In one way, we think a great deal too much of the coronavirus. ‘How are we to live in a coronavirus age?’ … Do not let us begin by exaggerating the novelty of our situation. Believe me, dear sir or madam, you and all whom you love were already sentenced to death before the coronavirus was invented: and quite a high percentage of us were going to die in unpleasant ways … It is perfectly ridiculous to go about whimpering and drawing long faces because the scientists have added one more chance of painful and premature death to a world which already bristled with such chances and in which death itself was not a chance at all, but a certainty. This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by the coronavirus, let that virus, when it comes, find us doing sensible and human things — praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts [and I’ll add, serving our neighbors in our healthcare facilities]— not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about viruses. They may break our bodies (any microbe can do that), but they need not dominate our minds.”  

 — C.S. Lewis, “On Living in an Atomic Age” (1948).

Thank you for continuing to help and love your neighbors in the service of HCM.

May God help you be a source of peace, life, love, help, levity, grace and hope for yourself, your family, friends and neighbors, and those you serve.