The other day I was at my neighborhood market, standing in the check out line and observing a man in front of me who was trying to purchase a gift card for someone outside. He told the checker that he was going to make sure the man was still there. Then he jet outside and came back with the individual in need, a man in his forties or fifties with leathery-skin and tattoos up his arms. The man in front of me told his friend or acquaintance that he was buying him a ten dollar gift card and would that be enough. The man in need nodded and then began to weep.
It was then that a store employee, a young lady maybe in her twenties, came up to the weeping man and told him that he needed to put on his face mask. I hadn't noticed until then that he wasn't wearing one. She pressed him repeatedly until he found a crumbled mask in his pocket. By that time I was bubbling with anger.
Could she not see what was going on? Could she not tell that something more important than face masks was happening? Was she so focused on policies and rules that her heart was shut to compassion and allowances and understanding?
I'm reminded of the multiple times Jesus healed people on the Sabbath, and the religious leaders were upset because Jesus broke a Sabbath rule. Jesus was angry at the religious leaders because their rules were more important to them than their compassion for people.
Jesus wasn't saying, "Forget the Sabbath! It's not important." No. I think even Jesus honored the Sabbath and kept it holy. But he criticized the religious leaders because their strict adherence to rules took precedence over caring for people.
I think the same is true of masks and social distancing. It has probably been a good idea to limit my social interactions this past year. It has probably been good to wear masks and stay home more than I'm used to. But as soon as these rules become more important than people, I have a problem. If my masks and rules prevent me from extending compassion and healing to others like Jesus did, then they've failed to serve their purpose. Similarly, if my refusal to wear a mask becomes more important than being compassionate and respectful to the people standing in front of me, I have made my own standards more important than giving compassion to others.
It is the same with respecting people's private property. Barging into someone's home at any hour of the night will most likely create grievances. But never stepping foot into their homes even when an invitation has been extended, might also create walls and barriers. Loving others isn't as simple as never doing some things and always doing the other things.
That is why knowing Jesus and listening to the Holy Spirit is so necessary. How else can we know how to love those in front of us? We don't know where they are on their journey of faith or doubt. We don't know what God is doing in their heart. But with Jesus, we can sense how we ought to love. If it's through taking off the mask and hugging them, then we can take off the mask and hug them. If it's through staying away, then we can stay away without taking offense. If it's through not bringing up political topics, we can keep our mouth shut. If it's through just listening and understanding their pain, we can listen without expecting they return the favor.
But we must not stand by either the strict following or breaking of rules as if our adherence or rejection of them can save us from judgement, blame, danger and hell itself. Only Jesus can do that.
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