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The word quarantine has been writ larger and larger over these last few weeks. Here in British Columbia, our provincial government has been very careful and intentional in which words they use for the precautions we each must take, and why. We have all been asked to practice social (now known as physical) distancing; so far only those who are ill, those who have been around someone unwell, or those who have been travelling have been asked, officially, to be separated in quarantine for a minimum of 14 days. Perhaps we’re sick of hearing it. So I’m going to talk about it.  

Quarantine has an interesting history, especially for Christians who are currently journeying in dialogue with our Lenten stories. The word comes from the Italian quaranta giorni which means 40 days. In the 14th century during the Great Plague, ships arriving from infected ports were required to anchor offshore for 40 days in an effort to prevent illness from coming to land. We now know this was one of the most effective steps taken for public health; impressive given the limited amount of scientific knowledge the people had. I’ve attached a couple links at the bottom of this post if you’re interested in learning more about this history.  

Then and now, quarantine in a pandemic is a calculation. Consider and evaluate risk. Strategically set people apart. Adjust expectation of resources. Do all of this in an attempt to balance the equation in favour of our ever-evolving understanding of the greater good. Accept disruption for the assurance that it will one day restore balance and safety.  

There’s a spectrum of how this is unfolding for us. Some who read this will have been under quarantine for having travelled recently, or for having felt unwell. Some have been called to work harder than ever. Everyone in between must also give up ease; take on extraordinary caution, an unusual level of attention. This has been growing over the last few months, and really set in here over the last couple of weeks. It might be fair to guess that by now our spiritual discomfort may have built to the point where this is the lentiest lent most of us have ever lented, as someone observed online these past days. We have been asked to give up, and take up, a great deal. So let’s check back with the story that started our Lenten journey: Jesus facing temptation and trial in the wilderness. For 40 days.  

In scripture, 40 days as a length of time is a literary device, a cue. It cues us to think of having our whole selves stretched and tested, individually and collectively. Accompanied always by a promise, and the presence of God. In his time with the tempter Jesus navigated concerns for his safety and security, his status and legacy, and access to wealth and material sustenance. Though he faced all of these temptations in relative isolation, ultimately he was not alone: holy attendants were there to carry and comfort him. Some translations call these angels.  

A couple Brechin folks have reminded me of a quote by Fred Rogers: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” People working to provide food, medicine, sanitized environments: thank you. People working in health care and emergency services: thank you. People responding to the long and slow burn of economic scarcity, homelessness, mental illness, addiction, violence and abuse only worsened by yet another local and global crisis: thank you. People working to govern, inform and guide us back to safety: thank you. People taking time to look out for one another and offer kindness, beauty, art, gentleness in these days: thank you. You are holy attendants.  

Meanwhile I have had moments when I’ve wished I could count down the days. I’ve wished we could look ahead and say there it is! That x on the calendar, we just have to make it to that day. It would give me something to ‘work’ towards, a finish line, a sense of comfort which I know would be cheap but wow is there still moments when I want it anyway. Of course, we cannot measure, we cannot know the duration of this with certainty. Did Jesus know he was dealing with a 40 day timeline, and how many days did it feel like? Or even in that story, was this a figure of speech? What was it like for those sailors in the 1300s, emerging finally from their ships at the end of a long journey, if they were fortunate enough to be proven well? We don’t know.  

We do know individuals have been through this before. Communities have been through this before. Those stories live somewhere in us, and God is with us in the unfolding of this- and every- story. I might wish I had an x on the calendar to run toward but in story, and in God's mysterious presence, a truer comfort lies.  

Friends, what is testing and stretching you in this time? Is hope already visible, for you?

What is the configuration of wilderness you are facing?

Who are the holy attendants who have carried you and our whole community, seen and unseen?

From where you are called to be right now, how can you be a helper?

How can you attend to the hurt and fear that you see? 

In what way are you still longing for support, and is there anything the community of Brechin United can offer you right now? If so, please do contact us.  

Deep peace be with you, Tif.

The Word "Quarantine" Comes from the Italian word "Forty Days", an article by Joe Schwarcz:

https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/did-you-know-health/word-quarantine-comes-italian-word-forty-days 

A Short History of Quarantine, an article by Peter Tyson:

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/article/short-history-of-quarantine/ 

Artwork by: John Ritto Penniman. 1818. Christ Tempted by the Devil. This work is in the public domain. {{PD-US}

5 Comments


Martha Hardy Martha Hardy almost 4 years ago

Thanks Tif for this thoughtful message. Martha


Valerie Neilson almost 4 years ago

Thank you Tif, for taking the time to draft and send this thoughtful piece. This definitely fills a void for me as I miss your Sunday message from the pulpit. Stay well...


Terri Donaldson almost 4 years ago

Thanks for the great message. Just what I needed. I miss you and the Sunday messages that I contemplate through the week. This fills my void.


Peggy Jensen almost 4 years ago

Thank you Tif for reflecting on this Lenten journey. To remind us of the 40 days of wilderness and facing the unknown knowing there are "angels" along the way. As we continue this wilderness journey may we remember that we are not alone There is a promise of new life beyond the wilderness.


Tif Bradford-McNaughton Tif Bradford-McNaughton almost 4 years ago

Thanks folks. I trust the Community page and the Minister's Musings page will be useful resources for us in the weeks to come, good places to start some conversations!

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