Millions of people across the globe are staying in their homes to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus. For Christians, the government-imposed home quarantine is a time to strengthen their faith.
Christians tuned in to church services streaming online last Sunday. Religious leaders have followed the directives of health officials to minimize human contact among their members by cancelling public masses and holding Sunday service using technology.
In addition to watching church services online, Fr. Thomas Reese, a columnist for Religion News Service, suggested several activities on how Christians can spend this quarantine.
Reese wrote that Scripture readings, written and audio formats, are available daily at USCCB.org. Christians can use this pause in life to study and reflect on God’ words. He advised parishes to set up online groups where individuals and families can “share their reflections on the Scriptures.”
Helping others can be tricky in a time when social distancing is implemented. Fr. Reese advised on sanitizing public spaces, such as apartment hallways, elevator buttons, and handrails. “I fear that if anyone in my house gets the virus, we will all get it. That is a risk of community life, as it is a risk of family life.”
In this time when emotions are high—fear of what the future holds, frustration and sadness on the lack of medical facilities and supplies to treat COVID-19 patients, Christians turn to the Bible for comfort. In an article in the International Business Times, John Lee Varghese wrote that, “self-quarantine and isolation are quite biblical aspects.”
Israelites “with a leprous” infection were required to spend days outside the camp until they were healed to prevent contamination with other people within the camp.
“He shall remain unclean all the days during which he has the infection; he is unclean. He shall live alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.” —Leviticus 13:46
Jesus also practiced self-isolation to meditate and pray. “At once the Spirit sent [Jesus] out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.” — Luke 4:1-2, 14-15
