Theological Journal - March 12: Coronavirus.

(I interrupt my series of reflections on Joy on some thoughts on the Coronavirus pandemic.)

The third quarter of the 2^nd century a.d. saw an horrific plague, which many scientists believe was smallpox. Ravaged the Roman Empire and especially the city of Rome itself. Five thousand people a day were dying in the from the disease in the city at its height. Cyprian, in “On Mortality,” describes the terrifying spectacles this disease caused: “The intestines are shaken with a continual vomiting; the eyes are on fire with the infected blood; that in some cases the feet or some parts of the limbs are taken off by the contagion of diseased putrefaction.” All who could, especially the elites, fled the plague and removed themselves to safety. The whole scene was an apocalyptic horror movie playing out in real life.

There was one group in the city that did not run from this scourge but rather ran toward it: the early Christian church. Armed with both an indefatigable hope and a profound compassion, their faith moved these folks to radical and risky action on behalf of those suffering and dying in the city. One Dionisus offers this firsthand account:  

“Heedless of danger, they took charge of the sick, attending to their every need and ministering to them in Christ, and with them departed this life serenely happy; for they were infected by others with the disease, drawing on themselves the sickness of their neighbors and cheerfully accepting their pains.”

Such selfless and sacrificial service had a profound impact and offered as powerful a witness to the “good news” of the gospel as anything the church has ever done.

I’m not sure of the precise relevance of this episode for us in our present Coronavirus pandemic. But I am sure that their radical and risky service sets a bar for the church today we must not ignore. Their example of running toward the crisis rather than away from it is a dynamic that should motivate us as well. While social distancing is an important safeguard for some at least to take (esp. the old and those suffering with autoimmune diseases), it nevertheless seems to militate against the dynamic that moved that Christian community in Rome to action. If we cannot or will not risk even our lives to offer care, comfort, and companionship for those suffering and dying from this disease, the credibility and truth of our testimony and gospel is placed in serious question.

So I leave this history lesson with us today on the hopes that reflection and prayer over this episode in the church’s story might give us some direction for our present struggle.