No Joking Matter
Author: Rev. Jim Harris
I’ve always enjoyed April Fool’s Day. I’ve pulled some classic and original pranks on April 1st over the years, but this year with the coronavirus spreading across the world I find I am not in the mood, this is no laughing matter.
I have been enjoying the humor of human behavior (hoarding toilet paper, for example). But, in my heart there is a deep sadness. If we are not foolish about this, and if we are willing to make personal sacrifices like “social distancing” and stay home unless absolutely necessary, then we can “level the curve” of this virus, that is we can help to keep it from spreading further and sickening more people.
We may say, “I’m not infected, and I hate being stuck at home day-after-day” that is understandable. But, we should also say, “I don’t want anything I do to be seen by anyone else as an excuse for them to behave the same way.” We humans are prone to having a “herd” mentality. An example of this has been the recklessness of some who took to the beaches in droves during Spring Break despite the warnings to practice “social distancing.” Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), shows that nearly 40 percent of those sick enough to be hospitalized were ages 20-54. While the risk of dying is higher for older folks, there are no guarantees, no matter the age.
The Bible records Jesus’ teachings about the foolishness of our actions, and how such behavior is actually contrary to real faith. In Matthew 7:24, 26, Jesus tells of a wise man who built his house on a strong rock foundation, and he compares that man with the actions of a foolish man who built his house on the unreliable foundation of sand. When a storm came, the house on the rock foundation withstood it, while the house built on a sand foundation collapsed. Jesus says this is about how we live out our faith. The wise person “hears these words of mine and puts them into practice” (24), but “everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand” (26).
Another time Jesus taught that it is foolish for us to base our lives on accumulating and keeping our wealth, like a man who was blessed with a great harvest and built bigger barns to hoard it. He died, and Jesus said, “God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’” (Luke 12:20).
Let’s not be selfish or foolish about this virus. As God’s children and good citizens let’s do all we can to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Then, when at last we can again gather together for worship and socialization, we will find that we are all there. Sometimes being denied a thing helps us to realize how much we value it. We will value our church more and less often take it for granted.
Blessings,
Jim Harris
About Rev. Jim Harris:
Jim is a retired United Methodist pastor. He lives in Staunton and serves as the Associate Pastor at Bridgewater UMC in Bridgewater. Jim is an artist, photographer and is very active.
