Dear friends,
Almost two centuries ago in 1833,
John Henry Newman,
Now St.
John Henry Newman,
Composed a poem,
The opening words of which are,
Lead kindly light.
Many listeners to Inside Timer will be familiar with both the poem and the by now well-known hymn of the same name.
It's a poem which holds a particular meaning in times of doubt and difficulty.
In view of the worldwide suffering and worry caused by COVID-19,
It might be appropriate to share this poem with our listeners.
Let us dedicate these words first of all to people who,
Because of the virus,
Find themselves stranded far from home.
We also call to mind people who work on the front line,
Our health workers,
Their support staff,
The producers and distributors of medical equipment,
Medicine and food.
We think of the many people whose vital day-to-day work leaves them away from home and away from the people they love.
And of course there are people who are confined at home,
People who must remain at home in quarantine and isolation,
People unable to enjoy the physical warmth of those they love,
As we all play our part in minimizing the distress caused by the spread of this virus.
And coming upon the words lead kindly light amid the encircling gloom,
We think of countless people whose jobs are lost,
The businesses forced to close.
No one alive has ever seen such disruption on a planetary scale.
We think of the victims of the virus,
The frightened seriously ill,
With relatives and friends unable to be with them.
And we think of the dead,
Their relatives left without the comforting rituals that are part of the grieving process.
And in all this the untiring brave medical workers having to make life and death decisions as in a time of war.
Before we begin however we must remember to see the flicker of light in all this.
Think of the unprecedented amount of cooperation between people facing a common threat.
On the ground the many people self-distancing.
Everywhere the healthy helping the more vulnerable.
And across the world an army of doctors and scientists working for a cure and a vaccine to deal with this pandemic.
We keep all these people in our thoughts and in our prayers as we say.
Lead kindly light amidst the encircling gloom.
Lead thou me on.
The night is dark and I am far from home.
Lead thou me on.
Keep thou my feet.
I do not ask to see the distant scene.
One step enough for me.
I was not ever thus nor prayed that thou shouldst lead me on.
I loved to choose and see my path but now lead thou me on.
I loved the garish day and spite of fears pride ruled my will.
Remember not past years.
So long thy power had blessed me sure it still will lead me on.
Or moor and fen or crag and torrent till the night is gone and with the morn those angel faces smile which I have loved long since and lost a while.
Words of John Henry Newman.
So keep safe dear friends.
In this time we must all work together like never before.
Watch out for one another.
Let us take care of one another as never before.
Maintain safe social distancing.
Follow the recommended procedures on coughing and sneezing.
Abide by the directions of the medical experts in our communities.
For all of us who miss the physical presence of people we know and love we fall back in hope on the words we shall meet again and we add let that meeting be soon.
May it be so.
Keep safe.
Keep well.
Namaste.
