Hermitage Notes - Hunkering Down For The Corona Storm

Christus Mansionem Benedicat - May Christ bless this dwelling!

This corona virus was the farthest thing from my mind on Epiphany [January 6th] when I marked the cabin door and prayed/pronounced the blessing ...

Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and for ever. Amen.

I could not help but to also think about the institution of the Passover in Exodus 12 where the lintels of each Israelite home were marked with the blood of an unblemished lamb that was eaten by those dwelling within. [Our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. 1 Cor. 5:7b..]

Who knows how this thing is going to shake-out? If what is taking place elsewhere is any indication, it will get worse before it gets better. That is the sad reality of this thing.

I refuse to buy into the thinking of those that are pushing this as a plague sent by God. I can sooner see it as a Chinese science experiment escaped and gone wild in the world. It is definitely, at the least, a pestilence with a pandemic nature.

Hunkering down is not difficult for Shirli and me. We are practically hermits anyway and honestly personally geared toward this type of thing. We certainly enjoy the flexibility to come and go as we wish. We are not at all thrilled that we are having to postpone our plans to hit the road in a few weeks. We will not complain about hunkering down and staying put within the safety of our little woodland cabin. Our minor inconveniences are nothing in comparison to those being shouldered by a lot of others.

We will miss going to Mass for a while. We go because we desire to attend and not because we are obligated to attend. Our Archbishop has closed all Catholic schools until “at least” April 3^rd. I will not be surprised if he stops all public Masses for the time being. People are quick to criticize. Archbishop will likely catch flack from some if/when he does decide to stop public Masses in the Mobile Archdiocese.

It has oft been said that discretion is the greater part of valor. Well, in the case of this Corona Virus, maybe we should modify that Shakespearean saying to say "In avoidance there is great wisdom."

Be safe, folks. Don't panic. Make good choices.