I am saddened by the lack of civility in our country. I realize that it shouldn’t surprise me. I should be used to it, if not immune. But it still catches me by surprise sometimes, like a stubbed toe. You are not expecting pain, but suddenly it is there.
The other day, the Governor of Ohio was thought to have tested positive with Covid. There were people who expressed sorrow and offered prayers. And there were people who gloated and poked fun. “See how far wearing masks got him”. So unnecessary.
First a reminder: I do not wear masks to protect myself from you. I wear masks to protect you from me. It doesn’t stop me from getting the infection unless everyone wears one. By wearing a mask I am making a statement about my care for the common good, my willingness to be temporarily inconvenienced because other people matter to me. That a priest or a governor would wear a mask is also good leadership, modeling healthy and appropriate behavior. Honoring science.
If you are a follower of Jesus, you are fueled by compassion. You love your neighbor as you would the person most precious to you. You do not hold up people’s pain or misfortune to mock them. You pray for their good, their health, their family. If you don’t like someone, you strive to learn to love them. And you are always gracious.
Now I know that I am not always like that, so I don’t expect perfection from anyone else. I get mad, I say mean things, I judge. The point is not to be perfect, it is to strive to be our best selves. So I understand when people get snarky on Facebook, but I don’t like it or appreciate it.
Let’s try especially hard as political tensions heighten to stay focused on issues, to debate substance, and to treat even people we do not like with kindness. Let’s remember that it isn’t about me, doing what I want, getting my way or being right. It’s about compassion and love. And that takes practice, practice, practice.