by John Nolan
Many schools are closed. Some businesses are laying off employees. St. Barnabas' Sunday services are only accessible online. The state has closed restaurants and bars indefinitely.
The Coronavirus threat and the new prescription of "social distancing"– if not isolation – has suddenly shoved us into a weird, unpredictable era. Many of what were the routine activities that marked the passing of days of our lives have vanished, at least for now.
We are left to fill the breach on our own, relying on our creativity and ingenuity. Family and friends can use reassuring. Neighbors who are alone may need help. Patience will indeed be a virtue.
It is certainly a time to pray for leaders of our government and churches. The crisis is forcing them to make agonizing decisions they wouldn't likely have anticipated just weeks ago. Employees of businesses that are closed also need our prayers, as their income sources are put at risk.
May God bless all of you, and your families.
We can take some comfort from this Morning Prayer passage in our Book of Common Prayer:
"Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful, for I have taken refuge in you; in the shadow of your wings will I take refuge until this time of trouble has gone by."