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Good morning

For a world divided into huggers and non-huggers, life is changing. Non-huggers no longer fear an uninvited invasion of their personal space.Ìý Huggers are learning to communicate without touch.

It’s as if, the parable of the Good Samaritan has been turned on its head – the good guys are those who cross the road to stay away.

We’re learning a new language of love.Ìý ‘Keep well’, we say, ‘stay safe’. Protect others by staying indoors.Ìý If you love someone, stay away.

We are made to be social beings.Ìý We work together, play together, worship together – and now the patterns and many of the certainties of our lives have been suspended, leaving instead anxiety and unease, and an underlying sense of fear and uncertainty.

Conversely, as we open up conversations about our mental wellbeing, those many who have always struggled with anxiety and depression may take comfort in knowing that no one feels normal any longer – whatever normal means.Ìý

For all of us, we are heartened in seeing compassion and kindness flourishing, in our families, our neighbourhoods and our society.

In interpreting the love behind ‘Keep well and stay at home’, we grasp the verbal hugs we receive and the virtual hugs of digital contact.Ìý We don’t socially distance – we physically distance and draw closer socially.Ìý

Of course while our heads may grasp all of this, our hearts still yearn for the touch of loved ones. When virtual or verbal hugs aren’t enough, we take comfort in knowing that we belong to a God of love, who enfolds us in his embrace.

Hildegard of Bingen put it this way: ‘God hugs you. You are encircled by the arms of the mystery of God’.

God of love, Keep those whom we love safe within your everlasting arms of love.Ìý Amen

Ìý[PB1]Bert, 14th June is the 3 yr anniv of Grenfell Tower. I do think we should mark it please.