One of the positive things about this lockdown period is that many people are prepared to share their thoughts and reflections with each other more readily. One of the reflections that I came across this week was shared with us at our Social Justice series. Sarah Massard from Mercy Global International had come across a Poem by an anonymous author; it goes like this:
I heard that we are in the same boat. But it’s not like that. We are in the same storm, but not in the same boat. Your ship can be shipwrecked and mine might not be. Or vice versa. For some, quarantine is optimal: a moment of reflection, of reconnection. For others, this is a desperate crisis. For others it is facing loneliness. For some, peace, rest time, vacation. Yet for others, Torture: How am I going to pay my bills? Some were concerned about a brand of chocolate for Easter. Others were concerned about the bread for the weekend, or if the noodles would last for a few more days.
Some were in their “home office”. Others are looking through trash to survive. Some have experienced the near death of the virus, some have already lost someone from it, some are not sure their loved ones are going to make it, and some don’t even believe this is a big deal. Some of us who are well now may end up experiencing it, and some believe they are infallible and will be blown away if or when this hits someone they know.
So, friends, we are not in the same boat. We are going through a time when our perceptions and needs are completely different. And each one will emerge, in his own way, from that storm. Some with a tan from their pool. Others with scars on the soul (for invisible reasons). It is very important to see beyond what is seen at first glance. Not just looking, more than looking…seeing. See beyond the political party, beyond religion, beyond the nose on your face.
Do not underestimate the pain of others if you do not feel it. Do not judge the good life of the other, do not condemn the bad life of the other. Don’t be a judge. Let us not judge the one who lacks, as well as the one who exceeds. We are different ships looking to survive. Let everyone navigate their route with respect, empathy and responsibility.
I like the sentiments in this poem. It does remind us that people across the globe and in our own communities are experiencing the global pandemic in different ways. And even from one week to the next we can feel and experience this time in different ways as the waters move around us.
I was also reminded of last week’s gospel where Matthew gave us the account of Jesus walking towards the disciples across the lake as they held on in fear during a torrential storm (Matthew 14:22-33). It made me think that as Christians we also have faith that Jesus Christ does not leave us alone in our own boats to make our own way but that in the midst of our storms, our fears and anxieties he walks towards us. And it made me think about our Church’s preferential option for the poor, which means that we look out for those who are being tossed about in the seas and who do not have safety jackets, life rafts and hulls to store emergency supplies. For me knowing that we are not all in the same boat calls me back to these two things: I do believe that the Lord, Jesus, does come to us across the waters in all sorts of ways and I pray that we have ears and eyes to see him. I also know that many people in our community are living out the option for the poor and in so many ways reaching out to one another in friendship and compassion.
We are not all in the same boat, but we do have a shared humanity, an inviolable human dignity and a Christian moral imperative to look out for each other, particularly the most vulnerable.
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Yolanda Torrisi says:
Wow, how powerful is this message this week. Thank you Father Brendan.
It’s Friday night and I’m sitting at the kitchen bench eating a left overs dinner and grateful that I have enough leftovers that I don’t have to cook tonight … not because I haven’t got enough food to last the distance and need to ration out every meal.
It’s been an intense week of work with little room to navigate or consider any downtime, but I do not focus on the amount of work overwhelming me, but rather that I have work, when so many people are jobless and not likely to be able to find work for a long while.
I reflect on the week that has been and wonder if anything I did made a difference to the world … a difference that brought a gift of happiness or friendship or kindness. I am pleased that without even thinking of any of these actions, there was one of each performed this week that did make a difference to someone’s world and delivered these three gifts.
The question is, is the balance right, is too much time spent on self and not enough on nurturing the world around us.
I think by focusing on self to make self strong means that we are able to give more of self to others. So let’s keep ourselves strong while we sail the rough seas of this storm so we can be at our best to keep this ship of life steady. We can then have enough life boats on our ship to be able to take on board those who need a helping hand to take them to safer shores In these troubled times.
Keep strong and keep sailing this storm. The sun will shine more brightly after the earth has been cleansed.
Anne Slingo says:
Thank you, Brendan. The pandemic has certainly shone a light on the inequalities in our society.
Carina Reid says:
Very mov d by this article and your comments. I would like to share it on FBook with your permission. Thank you Father Brendan
Brendan says:
Hi Carina,
Thanks for your positive response. Yes feel free to share.
Keep well
Barbara Handley says:
Oh Brendan such a vivid picture of the current disaster. Time for us/me to reflect on my life and re-adjust the ‘settings’. There are so many being buffeted by this storm. I must do what I can to calm some small space for those about me. Stay well and strong.