Covid-19: An Unwelcome Visitor

Sister Loretta in recovery

Recently, I received the weekly ponderings of a friend who reflected on a poem of the great poet Rumi.  She commented that in The Guest House he compares human beings to a guest house, “where every morning [there is] a new arrival.  A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor… Welcome and entertain them all!”

I definitely did not smile and welcome the visitor called COVID-19 that came to visit me in person on April 23, 2020.  I wanted to slam the door and pretend that it wasn’t there on the other side. Since I had not experienced any symptoms of the dreaded virus and had been in close contact with the Sisters here at the Residence, my greatest fear at the time was that I had unwittingly infected others. That fear was alleviated when only two others were declared positive at that time and I didn’t think I was the result. 

In spite of my reluctance, I could do nothing but allow that very unwelcome guest to take up residence in my body.  During the time it remained with me, there were days when I didn’t even have the energy to complain to God and ask, “Why me?”  or to express my gratitude that I was still able to breathe with the help of my ever-present oxygen tube.  

Now that I have recuperated, I do try to remember to express my gratitude for my health and being able to enjoy the ease of breathing and the beauty of God’s lovely nature as I take my daily walks in the great outdoors. 

- Sister Loretta Hagen, csj

Here is the poem:

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.

— Jalaluddin Rumi, translation by Coleman Barks (The Essential Rumi)

Please Read This Book.

“Racism should never have happened and so you don’t get a cookie for reducing it.”

-Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

‘Oh my. Even the title of this book incites discomfort in me' was my first thought when I found online at my local library the book "Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World and Become A Good Ancestor" by Layla F. Saad. And that was my signal that I had to read it.

In all the events over these past months especially since the murder of George Floyd, there has been much said about white supremacy sometimes sugar-coated in the more palatable expression of ‘white privilege’. This book called me out to examine how I and the society in which I live has participated and supported white supremacy in the many forms in which it expresses itself: fragility, tone policing, silence, apathy, Saviourism, tokenism, colour blindness, and optical allyship to mention just a few.

Each section of the book asks:

a) What is ________________?

b) How does ________________ show up? (with practical examples)

c) Why do you need to look at _______________?

The end of each section then offers some reflective journaling prompts to help us examine how we both individually and as members of various groups of which we are a part have experienced each of these things and to look at ways and means by which we can move towards the eradication of racism in all its forms.

I ask everyone to read this book.

-Sister Nancy Sullivan, csj

Determined to Break Through

Here, on this small piece of the planet, long-awaited summer is here at last. Though we are only just at the beginning of summer, we are already in the midst of a heatwave. Of course, doing those usual summer things like going to the beach is, well, you know, not happening. Lockdown rather cramps our style, sigh. Going for a long walk tends to be the highlight of these summer days. 

Since oppressive heat and humidity have settled in I much prefer evening walks. While out for a walk last night, I caught sight of a tenacious little sapling sprouting out of a stump.  I stared at it for quite some time, captivated by its determination and will to sprout and thrive.  Against all odds, it will not give up. 

Nor should we. This pandemic may threaten to cut us off from what we call our normal lives. However, despite everything we have been through during these difficult months, something new is determined to break through. Let us be the midwives helping to bring forth the new and life-giving for all people.

-Sister Magdalena Vogt, cps