“Everyone should look out not [only] for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4
My mom lives in a retirement community in Southern Italy. They have been in quarantine for more than a month already. Staff is quarantined with the residents. Nobody comes in, nobody goes out. It is a stressful situation.
I talk to my mom through a cook name Rosa who became my contact through WhatsApp. This wonderful lady is a wife, mother, and grandmother. She has given up seeing her family for such long time to make sure the residents stay healthy.
I think Philippians 2:4 summarizes the reality we are witnessing. God who is always in the transformation business of this world, it’s using this time to show us that “our interests and the interests of others” are connected; that we are in this world to help and to love each other.
We won’t be the same after this pandemic. I pray and hope we’ll be better and we’ll be closer to God. I pray and hope this sense of connection and community, that is growing everywhere despite social isolation, stays with us for the rest of our lives.
“Lord, help us be your people, your community, your church that shows your loving care to the world. We thank you for this transforming time. May this renewal period bring you glory and salvation to all of us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”
Liliana Mariano