Pastor's Corner: Do the right thing

This seems a fairly obvious message to emanate from the Christian church. For much of this pandemic, however, the message that has gotten out from the Christian community is that we want to do the "rights" thing.

Legal battles have raged throughout the months of the COVID-19 pandemic as to whether public health measures appropriately apply to religious worship gatherings in this country. As to be expected in our polarized condition, the U.S. Supreme Court decided 5-4 on May 29 that a set of restrictions on numbers gathered in California did not unduly diminish First Amendment religious freedoms. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote a majority opinion that "(s)imilar or more severe restrictions apply to comparable secular gatherings." This week, a court of a different makeup voted 5-4 to strike down New York limits on worship attendance. An unsigned majority opinion cited a treatment of houses of worship more strict than that of comparable facilities of a secular nature.

If that is the standard, I can appreciate the logic and the consistency enough. It is worth noting an Orthodox Jewish organization joined a Roman Catholic diocese in contesting the latter case. The former came out of a Pentecostal congregation's challenge.

I cannot speak authentically as a member of any faith but my own. In doing so, I am left to wonder why so commonly Christians are missing the primary issue for the sake of a secondary one.

Given what we know about this coronavirus, it is abundantly clear that the larger the gathering, the less diligent the use of face coverings, the more the virus spreads. The more the virus spreads, the more people become sick and die. Nationwide, more than 270,000 people have been killed by the virus and it is not going away for at least months to come. Already, that number represents a figure larger than a quarter of our state's population and in excess of the amount of combat deaths in any conflict the United States has engaged except World War II, and we are closing in on that one.

This is not the time to fight feverishly for our right to get together in great masses and share the same air for an hour or two. Even when gathered just a dozen or two in a space built to accommodate 10 times that many, the refusal to wear a simple cloth face mask is deeply disappointing to say the least. I have yet to hear reasons for this stance that do not boil down to defiance of secular authority, stubborn refusal to accept the overwhelming evidence of scientific and medical data and or an unwillingness to endure discomfort for the sake of one's neighbor. It is not a good look, particularly for people of faith.

The reformer Martin Luther wrote a seminal treatise, "On the Freedom of a Christian," exactly 500 years ago. Its central thesis states "a Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none." This meshes well with the rallying cry that we are absolutely free from the restraint of the law. However, it ignores the crucial second half of that thesis, which is that "a Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all." The Gospel frees us to look out for one another, rooted in love rather than fear.

Our rights are important but they are not detached from our responsibilities that come with them. The apostle Paul advised the believers in Corinth as they dealt with this, regarding meat offered in sacrifice as the issue of the day. His words echo still (1 Cor. 10:23-24, NRSV): "'All things are lawful,' but not all things are beneficial. 'All things are lawful,' but not all things build up. Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other."

Even if we have a concern for an infringement of our rights, even if somehow those who have devoted their lives to studying, preparing for and now treating patients of a new and deadly virus have gotten it wrong ... how do these concerns outweigh the overwhelming evidence that social distancing and face coverings are the best tools we have to reduce the impact on those around us, especially the most vulnerable? A simple cost-benefit analysis shows we are out very little if it turns out the experts are wrong. But if everything is as it appears, the continued cost of ignoring fairly unobtrusive measures is unacceptably steep.

Beyond their practical purpose, our masks present an opportunity for spiritual mindfulness. I find when I am wearing one, I am more attuned to consideration for others and associated hygiene activities. Seeking out the hand sanitizer station or avoiding habitual face touching, for example. When the Presbyterian-affiliated Carroll University resumed in-person learning this summer, the Rev. Elizabeth McCord acknowledged "even an inconvenience such as this can be sacred spiritual practice."

She wrote a prayer blessing our masks that resonates with their intent and utility in the course of this pandemic. An excerpt of it includes, "May they enliven our senses, reminding us to listen with compassion and speak with humility. May they draw us together, inspiring respect for one another and enabling mutual care."

Amen.

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The Rev. Sean Janssen is pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Havre and Christ Lutheran Church in Big Sandy.