新型冠狀肺炎(COVID-19)疫情—我們的省思和回應
潘儒達牧師
全文PDF文件 我們的省思和回應.pdf
新型冠狀肺炎病毒(COVID-19)疫情正在全世界各地肆虐著。短短兩個月，疫情從一個城市，一個國家，很快燎原為全人類共同的災難。對在波士頓的我們，疫情的壓力也從對本鄉同胞的擔憂關注、第一個個案在波士頓出現的警覺、個案急速增加、到全面性的傳播，終致美國和麻州宣佈進入緊急狀態。雖然到目前為止，沒有任何被感染的個案在教會中出現，我們許多人都陷入自己或親友被傳染的壓力中。疫情帶來恐懼，生活的不便，對人的悲憫同情，甚至死亡的陰影，在這樣的狀況下，基督徒應有怎樣的回應呢？
我們的反思
為甚麼人類會遭受苦難
從弘觀的角度，人類苦難緣於人拒絕神的主權和保護。在創世紀1-3章記載，人是神創造的高峰，人按神的形象和樣式被造，受托成為受造物的管家。身為受造者，人應該降服於創造他的神，以神為神，以神為主宰。也唯有人降服於神，以神為主，人才能經歷神的賜福，管理好神所托付的大地。可惜人類拒絕以神為神，妄圖自己為神，誤以為靠自己就能管理好全世界。神尊重人的選擇，人的自私使自己和這個世界失去了神的保護，當世界失去了神的保護，加上人類自私的推波助瀾，全人類和大地便不可避免的落入浩刼中。這樣的情況在人類的歷史中不斷的出現，更讓我們在病毒漫延的處境中，有深刻的感受。
為甚麼基督徒也會遭受苦難
當人類因為對神的棄絕，而深陷痛苦中時，為甚麼我們這些相信神，領受祂的救恩的神的兒女，也同樣陷入被感染的威脅中呢？因為神不要祂的兒女們自外於人類的苦難中，相反的，祂要祂的兒女向這個苦難的世界認同，向在這個苦難的世界遭遇痛苦，在恐懼中掙扎付出關懷和伸出愛的手。正如神的獨生子耶穌基督兩千年前道成肉身來到世上(約1:12)，向人類認同，付出關懷，甚至為了拯救我們而死在十架上。正如基督在復活後，向祂的門徒所發出的使命:”照樣差你們” (約20:21)，我們也要效法耶穌道成肉身的精神。因此，我們不會有不受苦難的豁免權，正是因為我們和世人同受苦難，表明我們對他們的愛，向他們認同，唯有如此，我們才能真正的讓他們經歷神的大愛，從拒絕神轉而歸向神，領受神的恩典。
面對疫情，我們的態度
這不是指我們面對疫情可以大意，以隨便的態度而不在意可能遭受傳染，我們需要靠神的恩典和自己的努力，保持身、心、靈的健康，才能向我們周遭的人付出關愛。因此，在疫情在波士頓開始漫延時，教會牧長執就定下了：”信靠上帝、謹慎應對＂的原則。我們確信我們的神是萬有的掌權者，祂也是大能的醫治者，更是那位關愛我們需要的大牧人。但是同時，我們也確認，神要我們學習作成熟的人，使用我們的智慧，善盡我們應承擔的防疫責任。我們邀請教會內醫療專業人士組成了＂公衛緊急應變小組＂，提供專業知識，定時向教會同工們提出建議，協助教會作正確的決定。目前，我們將一切的崇拜改為線上，所有的團契小組聚會，成人主日學，禱告會，同工會，和其他的活動改為線上，教會辦公室也暫時關閉。我們知道雖然大家相見分享的機會減少了，我們仍然是一個教會，仍然是也永遠是同一個屬靈大家庭的成員，正如耶穌說: 拜父也不在這山上，也不在耶路撒冷，而是要用心靈和誠實敬拜祂(約4:21, 23)。內在的敬虔重於空間和距離，我們的關係也不會因為見面的機會減少而改變。
在疫情限制之下的信仰行動
在現實上，疫情的傳播和麻州行動禁制令(shelter-in-place)，確實帶給我們身、心、靈的困擾。在外在的＂禁閉＂中，我們如何能保守自己有健康的身、心、靈，進而幫助別人呢？我們有以下角度的建議。
個人
麻州的禁制令使得學校必須改為在家上課，許多的公司都規定大多數人在家工作，除非必要，不輕易出門。單調的生活空間和步調，與人隔絕缺乏社交生活，都使我們的身、心、靈陷入憂鬱、焦慮、和恐慌中。沒有限制和警覺的上網，會使我們活在虛幻的狀態甚至引誘我們進入試探中。因此如何調整自己在＂孤單＂與神與人有美好而健康的關係，是我們在現今的禁閉中所應追求的。其實暫時與人隔絕，反而是單單來到神面前，與祂建立親蜜關係的機會。正如耶穌在曠野禁食禱告，歷代教會有許多的修道者會遠離人群與神親近。今天當我們處在一種心靈的曠野時，願我們來切切的尋求神，與祂建立良好的關係。
中文堂從年初開始即推介靈修材料—靈命日糧(Our Daily Bread)，現在可以每天作為靈修的參考。年初開始的一年讀經一次，即使落後了三個月，利用現在加緊追趕，還可以在年底完成。除了中文部的牧者提供的材料外，相信英文部、城區、青少年、和兒童事工都提供許多提供我們許多靈修的材料，如果我們過去忽略了，現在正是好好使用它們，增加靈命成長的機會。當我們被疫情的恐懼、孤單的感覺、和對未來沒有把握盼望的情緒所籠罩時，我們最需要的是向神禱告，願我們隨時隨地向神伸出禱告的手，在其中經歷神的光照、安慰、和引導。
我們的家庭
其實我們並不真正孤單，我們是全家人被禁閉在一起。因為沒有選擇的餘地，我們反而和自己的家人有了更多相處的時候。全家人的禁閉，是建立家庭關係的良機，關鍵在於我們有沒有把握這個機會。我們因藉著這個機會多和家人建立關係，一起烹調烘焙，再一起享受美食、一起談心分享內心的世界、一起作家務和從事家庭娛樂活動、一起透過教會家庭事工所提供的材料進行家庭崇拜或家庭查經。這些都是讓整個家庭一同在基督裡成長，也建立關係的機會。
我們的大家庭—教會
對於單身或獨居者，我們也不孤單，因為我們是教會這個屬靈大家庭的一員。最近團契小組網上的查經聚會的上線人數不斷的增加，顯示空間的距離反而使得大家更加珍惜過去以為理所當然的關係。我們現在因為疫情的緣故不能享受面對面的＂家庭＂關係，但是現在的科技幫助我們解決了不少難題。我們可以利用網上的設備來達到家人間的溝通。教會已經進行了線上主日崇拜和禱告會，各團契和小組也用zoom查經和分享。我們鼓勵各團契和同工們多多利用網路設備來塑造弟兄姐妹們溝通分享的機會，就我所知，城區學生團契在週末開始網上烘焙的教學節目，他們也一天舉行兩次網上禱告會。我們可以有創意設計更多網上交流，使我們更加緊密連結，並在基督裡一同成長的活動。此外，透過牧長、輔導、和同工也能電話或網路牧養和關懷弟兄姐妹，解決有需要者的困難。我們也鼓勵教會弟兄姐妹有需要時，主動和牧長及團契輔導聯繫，以尋求幫助。時空的限制不能隔絕神和我們的愛，也不能隔絕我們和其他弟兄姐妹的愛。
我們對世界的見證
愛的傳播，不只是局限於弟兄姐妹之間的，更是基督徒對人類的責任。在約翰福音第9章記載當門徒看到生來瞎眼的人，而流於哲學性的探討這個受苦的成因時，耶穌對他們的提醒是，當苦難臨到時，重點不在哲學性的探討，在於如何行動以彰顯神的榮耀。當疫情傳播時讓我們一起來傳播愛，當疫情使許多人受到生命的威脅、當許多醫療人員為了協助別人，自己卻因為醫療設施的缺乏也落入被感染的危機時，當有人被裁員，而有生計上的困難時，當有人沉溺於因疫情的威脅而陷入莫名的恐慌甚至絕望時，讓我們在我們的社區中活出愛來。即使現在關懷的作為受到許多的限制，我們仍然能在我們所能做到的範圍以捐獻，以實際關懷的行動，以禱告，透過電話或網路帶給人安慰，傳揚那使人有真平安的福音，以及許多有創意的方式，來愛我們週圍有需要的人，彰顯神的作為和榮耀來。
疫情的擴散使我們感覺我們所在的時代是個最糟糕、最愚蠢、也最黑暗的時代，但是這樣的時代也提供我們機會，藉著基督的大能，使我們的時代成為最美好、最有智慧、和光明的時代 (參狄更斯的雙城記第一章第一段)。關鍵在於神的教會在這樣的時代中如何透過我們的行動見證神的大能，給許多在危機中的人們帶來轉機。讓我們為神的榮耀健康的活著，使我們有能力付出行動，成為在苦難中的得神恩典的管道。
New Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic - Our Reflection and Response
Pastor Juta Pan
The outbreak of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is raging around the world. In just two months, an epidemic that originated in one city engulfed one country before spreading rapidly around the world. For those of us in Boston, we have felt the pressure of the pandemic, originally in our worries and concerns for our fellow compatriots abroad, then in dread as cases began to appear in Boston and now in our everyday existence as the United States and Massachusetts declare a state of emergency. Although there have been no reported cases in our church so far, many of us feel the daily pressure of not knowing whether we or our relatives and friends have or will become infected. The pandemic brings fear, inconvenience to daily life, compassion for people, and even the shadow of death. How then should Christians respond in times such as these?
Our Reflection
Why Humans Suffer
From a grand perspective, human suffering is caused by people's rejection of God's sovereignty and protection. Genesis chapters 1-3 show that man is the crown of God's creation and was created in the image and likeness of God, entrusted to be the keeper of His creation. As such, man should surrender to the God who created him, and recognize God as his sovereign Lord. Only when humans surrender to God, can we experience the blessing of God and manage the land entrusted by Him. It is a pity that mankind has refused to regard the Lord as God, trying to be God ourselves, mistakenly believing that we can manage the whole world by ourselves. God respects people's choice, and human’s selfishness leads to us losing the protection of God. When the world loses the protection of God and the selfishness of humanity adds fuel to the flames, all mankind and the earth will inevitably fall into catastrophe. This cycle has continuously appeared throughout human history, circumstances we feel even deeper with the spread of the current virus.
Why Christians Also Suffer
When mankind suffers because of its rejection of God, why do we, the children of God who believe in God and receive His salvation, also face threats of infection? It is because God does not want His children to be outside the sufferings of humanity. Instead, He wants His children to identify ourselves with the suffering of the world, to offer care and extend loving hand to those who are experiencing the suffering and amongst the struggles of fear. Just as God ’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, came into the world two thousand years ago (John 1:12), lived among us, cared for us, and ultimately died on the cross to save us, we too are expected to live like Christ lived. Following Christ's commission to His disciples after the resurrection, "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you,” (John 20:21) we must imitate the life and spirit of Jesus’s incarnation. Therefore, we will not be immune from suffering precisely because we must suffer together with the world, identify with and show our love for humanity. Only in this way can we truly allow the people of the world to experience the greatness of God’s love, turn from rejecting Him, return to Him and receive His grace.
Our Attitude Towards the Pandemic
This does not mean that we can be careless in the face of a pandemic, acting with a casual attitude and not being concerned with possible infection. We need to rely on the grace of God and our own efforts to maintain the health of our bodies, minds, and spirits in order to provide love and care to those around us. Consequently, when the pandemic started in Boston, our church leadership settled on the principle of, “Trust God and Respond with Prudence.” We have conviction that our God is sovereign – He is also a powerful healer and the great shepherd who cares for us. At the same time, we also acknowledge that God wants us to learn to be mature people, to use our wisdom, and to do our best to prevent diseases. We invited medical professionals in the church to form a "Public Health Emergency Advisory Team” to provide their professional knowledge and to make recommendations regularly to church leaders to help the church make the right decisions. At present, we have moved all worship services online. All fellowships, bible studies, adult Sunday school, prayer meetings, coworker meetings, and other activities are conducted online, and the church office has been temporarily closed. We know that although the opportunities to meet and share with each other have diminished, we are still one church, and we are and will always be members of the same spiritual family. As Jesus said: A time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. Worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. (John 4:21, 23). Inner godliness is more than just space and distance, and our relationships will not change because of fewer opportunities to meet.
Practicing Faith Under Pandemic Restrictions
In reality, the spread of the pandemic and the shelter-in-place directives of Massachusetts have indeed caused us physical, mental, and spiritual distress. In the confinement of isolation, how can we keep ourselves healthy in body, mind, and spirit, and in turn help others? We have the following suggestions.
Individual
Massachusetts health advisory restrictions have included forcing schools to switch to home-based classes, companies to implement work from home policies for the majority of their employees, and only leaving your home to address essential needs. The monotonous living space and pace, isolation from others and lack of social life, all plunge our body, mind, and spirit into depression, anxiety, and panic. Being on the internet with no restrictions and alertness will make us live in an illusory state and even lure us into temptation. Therefore, how we calibrate ourselves while we are “alone” to have a good and healthy relationship with God and other people is what we should pursue in today's confinement. In fact, being temporarily isolated from others is an opportunity to simply come to God and establish a closer relationship with Him. Just as Jesus fasted and prayed in the wilderness, many churches throughout history have had monks that would stay away from the crowd to get closer to God. Today, as we are in a kind of spiritual wilderness, may we come to seek God earnestly and establish a good relationship with Him.
Since the beginning of the year, the Chinese Ministry has introduced devotional material - Our Daily Bread. Now it can be used daily as a reference for the practice of devotion. Our reading the Bible in one-year initiative started at the beginning of the year. Even if you are three months behind, you can use the extra time now to catch up and still complete it by the end of the year. In addition to the materials provided by CM, I believe that Crossbridge, COM, Youth Ministry, and Children Ministry have all thoughtfully supplied us with many spiritual materials. If we neglected these materials in the past, now is the time to use them properly for spiritual growth. When we are overwhelmed by the fear of the pandemic, feelings of loneliness, and lack of hope for the future, what we need most is to pray to God. May we extend our hands of prayer to God at any time and in any circumstance, and let us, within these moments, experience God’s light, comfort, and guidance.
Our Family
In fact, we are not really alone, we are confined together as a family. Without choice, we are actually spending more time with our families than ever before. This isolation of the whole family is a good opportunity to build on our relationships. The key is whether we will grasp this good opportunity. We should take this unique moment to interact more with our families, cook and bake together, enjoy food together, talk and share together, do housework and engage in fun family activities, conduct family worship through the materials provided by the church’s family ministry or have a family Bible study. These are opportunities for the whole family to bond and grow together in Christ.
Our Spiritual Family – Church
For those who are single or live alone, we are not alone because we are part of the spiritual family of the church. Recently, the attendance of online small group Bible studies within our fellowships continues to increase, showing that the distance in space has made everyone cherish the relationships that were taken for granted in the past. While we cannot enjoy face-to-face "family" relationships because of the pandemic, current technology has helped us solve many problems. We can use online platforms to communicate with family members. The church has conducted online Sunday worship and prayer meetings, while fellowships and small groups have used video conferencing platforms like ZOOM to conduct Bible studies and sharing. We encourage fellowships and co-workers to make more use of online platforms to create opportunities for brothers and sisters to communicate and share. As far as I know, COM’s student fellowship began online tutorials for baking on weekends. They also started online prayer meetings twice every day. We can creatively design more online activities that will connect us more closely and grow together in Christ. In addition, church leaders, counsellors, and co-workers can also use the phone and online platforms to shepherd and care for brothers and sisters, helping solve difficulties for those in need. We also encourage church brothers and sisters in times of need to take the initiative to connect with church leaders or fellowship counsellors for help and consultation. Limitations of time and space cannot separate the love between us and God, nor can it isolate our love from other brothers and sisters.
Our Testimony to the World
The spreading of love is not only limited to our brothers and sisters, but also a Christian's responsibility to humanity. In John 9, when the disciples saw a man who was blind from birth and went into a conceptual discussion of the cause of this suffering, Jesus reminded them that when suffering comes, the focus is not on conceptual discussion, but how to act and show God's glory. As this pandemic spreads, let us spread love together. When many people are threatened by the pandemic, when many medical staff are in danger of being infected because of the lack of medical equipment and facilities, when someone is laid off, when there are difficulties with livelihood, when someone is panicking or even in despair, let us live out love in our communities. Even though there are many restrictions on caring for each other, we can still contribute as much as we can within our limits, take practical caring actions, pray, bring comfort through the phone or online, and preach the gospel of true peace. There are many creative ways to love those in need around us, to demonstrate God's work and glory.
The spread of the pandemic makes us feel that this is the worst of times, an era of foolishness and darkness, but these times provide us with the opportunity through the power of Christ to make this - as Charles Dickens says in The Tale of Two Cities – the best of times, an age of wisdom and a season of light. The key lies in how God’s Church acts in times such as this so that we can be a testimony to His amazing power and give many people in crisis a turn for the better. Let us live healthy lives for the glory of God, so that we have the ability to act and become channels for God's grace in times of suffering.
New Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic - Our Reflection and Response