Not to minimize anyone’s suffering, but Cameron Bellm’s poem puts so much in perspective, even eliciting thanksgiving, a poignant awareness of the needs of others at a time when our needs press so heavily on us. Bellm’s poem evokes the Dalai Lama’s words: The incredible thing is that when we think of alleviating other people’s suffering, our own suffering is reduced. (“The Book of Joy,” by the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Penguin Random House, 2016, p. 254).
Prayer for a Pandemic
by Cameron Bellm*
May we who are merely inconvenienced
remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors
remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home
remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care
for our children when their schools close
remember those who have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips
remember those that have no safe place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money
in the tumult of the economic market
remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home
remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country, let us choose love.
During this time when we cannot physically
wrap our arms around each other,
let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace
of God to our neighbors.
Amen.
*http://krugthethinker.com/category/musings-and-memories/
Written by Jack Calhoun
Mr. Calhoun is an internationally renowned public speaker and frequent media guest, editorial contributor and author of three books. He is the founder and CEO of Hope Matters. For more than 20 years, Mr. Calhoun was the founding president of the National Crime Prevention Council, prior to which he served under President Carter as the Commissioner of the Administration for Children, Youth and Families. Click on “Contact” to book Mr. Calhoun to speak at your next conference. All speaking topics are available at: www.HopeMatters.org/Speaker
