Colossians 3:12 NRSV
12As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Have you noticed the shift? There has been a shift as vaccinations have taken hold among our population. The shift I am referring to is the shift from external mandate to internal responsibility – but responsibility to whom?
I have tried to live my life in a way that reflects care for “the other.” I have not always succeeded but I strive towards that ideal. I picked that up from Jesus along THE WAY. I pray that approach always helps guide me in the personal decisions that I make throughout my life.
It is a valid concern that people are not hearing the message as it was intended when the CDC announced a new posture regarding masks. The message was (and still is) if you have been fully vaccinated, you may remove the masks in most places outside and inside. Drill down deeper into the message and something important is revealed. If you are fully vaccinated, the risk of covid harming yourself or others thru you is minimized.
Please remember that there are significant parts of our population that are not yet vaccinated. Vaccines became available for 12-15 yr olds just last week. Vaccines are still not available for children under 12. Covid is still with us. We have not completely defeated this disease (yet.)
I have come to understand so many unique scenarios as I have listened to others around me. Did you know there are people among us who cannot receive vaccines for medical reasons? There are parents who are wearing their masks (even though they are vaccinated) because their children need to wear their masks. And there are many unique scenarios out there that still have many people feeling vulnerable to this disease.
I think this shift to internal responsibility is part of our Christian care of the other. There will be people who feel anxiety as this shift continues. There are people in our faith community who are anxious about it. Be gracious to each other. Make space for one another (literally.) Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. It is our Christian WAY of life.
God’s Peace,
