Over all the Earth

I had a Guinness last night. St. Patrick’s Day.

And this morning our Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau presented a major economic relief package.
He’s a wartime Prime Minister now.

Trudeau is in self-isolation as his wife Sophie tested positive last week for COVID-19. He makes announcements daily from outside his home at Rideau Cottage. This morning, after his prepared remarks which outlined 27 Billion in aid and 55 Billion in tax deferrals, he was about to take questions. Be then he said, “Hold on a minute” and turned around, headed back into his house and grabbed his coat.
So good.

We’re all settling in now wondering what this not normal time will be like, trying to set a new normal.

The aid mentioned, payments to people, financial support outlined by Trudeau lasts 12 to 14 weeks in most cases. that means that the government is setting a plan that we will be in this relative isolation for a few months.
Okay. Helps to know the terms.
The big 6 banks announced that they will defer mortgage payments. Okay.

Is this one of those wartime feelings? First you feel an overwhelming uncertainty and then something happens that at least makes you feel like your feet are on the ground. There’s a little traction at least, enough to set you in a place of considering how you might best help the effort.

It is so beautiful outside today.
We are still allowed to go outside. For those who like solitary walks, or bike rides it is a perfectly beautiful day weather wise.
Glorious.

One of the interesting things about this is that this is “over all the earth”. If this is a war, it is more the kind of alien invaders.
Over all the earth.

And on a beautiful day like today I have a question that’s a prayer. Most of the big questions are prayers, after all.

Dear God,

What does it mean that your glory is “over all the earth”.
What does it mean now, when we face this foe and have apparently mostly 17th Century tactics for the waging of the war. “Keep your distance” is the battle cry.

I sat by myself yesterday, safely distanced from others in Stanley Park and the sun was on my face and something in the world seemed perfect. But then a woman came up to me (too close for these days) and asked quite loudly, “Do you have a bike pump?” I didn’t have a bike pump, I use C02 canisters if I get a flat. I told her. I said sorry. What I had wouldn’t fit on her tire.
She didn’t have a flat. She just thought her tire was a bit spongy.

Didn’t she know that we are in the apocalypse?

The perfection of the moment, the glory of the sunlight was broken by this reminder of the time we are in.

Dear God,

I know that your glory is over all the earth.
Grant that I may see it, in the beauty of this day. In the life I get to live, and most importantly, in the people with whom I share this life.

Amen