Yes there is fear

Yes there is isolation

Yes there is panic buying

Yes there is sickness

Yes there is even death

But,

They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise

You can hear the birds again

They say that after a few weeks of quiet

The sky is no longer thick with fumes

But blue and grey and clear

They say that in the streets of Assisi

People are singing to each other

across the empty squares,

keeping their windows open

so that those who are alone

may hear the sounds of family around them

They say that a hotel in the west of Ireland

Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound

Today a young woman I know

is busy spreading fliers with her number

Through the neighborhood

So the elders may have someone to call on

Today, churches, synagogues, mosques and temples

are preparing to welcome

and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary

All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting

All over the world people are looking at their neighbors in a new way

All over the world people are waking up to a new reality

To how big we really are

To how little control we really have.

To what really matters.

To Love.

So we pray and we remember that

Yes there is fear.

But there does not have to be hate.

Yes there is isolation.

But there does not have to be loneliness.

Yes there is panic buying.

But there does not have to be meanness.

Yes there is sickness.

But there does not need to be disease of the soul.

Yes there is even death.

But there can always be a rebirth of love.

Wake to the choices that you make as to how to live now.

Today, breathe.

Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic.

The birds are singing again

The sky is clearing.

Spring is coming.

And we are always encompassed by Love.

Open the windows of your soul

And though you may not be able

to touch across the empty square,

Sing.