Last time we considered the first half of Ecclesiastes 3:5, which says there is a time to throw, and a time to gather stones. The second half of the verse tells us there is a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
Some commentators suggest that contrasting the ‘time to embrace’
with ‘time to throw stones’ highlights the dichotomy of love vs. violence. In
our current normal of social distancing, this verse may take on a new and
important message.
Nancy Severin, the Daughters of the King Province 7 President
recently noted, “Considering these very difficult and uncertain times, this
verse stands out—A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.”
She says, “Due to Covid-19, we have refrained from physical embracing,
and it has been one of the hardest things to accept. We thrive when we are able
to touch, hug and embrace. This constraint has been polarizing in its
interpretation, effectiveness and resistance to any authority outside our own.
We are hurting, and yet, because of the mandate of isolation, we are embracing
in a new way.”
We are social beings, and we do like to hug and gather together. But
right now IS a time to ‘refrain from embracing’ for the good of the
larger community. As Nancy Severin notes, we are also embracing in new
ways. Whether that’s via phone calls, or on Zoom, or sending notes, or waving
to one another from a good social distance, we can indeed connect.
In some of our new or renewed connections we may start healing the divisions built up by our personal “busyness” over the years. We may be calling friends and neighbors to check up on them. We may be sending notes to family members or shut-ins we haven’t seen for years. We suddenly are more aware of the 'essential' workers among us, who literally risk their lives so we can go to the grocery, or have our trash picked up, or ride a bus. We may even be listening to voices of the disenfranchised population around us. I’ve heard many reports of people joyfully attending online worship services who were not able to go to in-person events due to health or transportation or distance. They have felt separated from the community, and are now able to reconnect.
I think there are many ways of embracing one another, even without
physical touch. Even as we ‘refrain from embracing’ physically, we can embrace
virtually and from a distance. We can make connections in new and important
ways.
It has been, as many news reports have noted, just over six months
since this COVID-tide started (in the US at least). That six months may have felt
like a lifetime, but in that time, we adapted to many changes and faced many
challenges. I think we need to give ourselves credit for meeting the new
demands courageously.
We may be saddened, or even angered, by the new constraints, and we can take those thoughts and fears to God. Through all the times of our lives, we can remember and be comforted by the image of the father welcoming home the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-24. The highlight comes when the son, who has taken his inheritance and wasted it returns home. While he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him…
Despite
being socially distant from our friends and neighbors, we can be assured that
God is never distant! We are found and embraced right where we are, in the
current moment! Brother Curtis Almquist (SSJE) stated, "
What new thing is God doing in and through your life?
Is there someone you can make connection with, perhaps who you
haven’t been in contact with for a while?
Can you feel God embracing you, esp. on those days when you are
feeling lonely and apart from friends and family?
