Calling on the Ghostbusters Among Us

It's an unprecedented crisis
that our president has likened to a war.
There is a price tag in terms of human lives and the economy.
The bottom line is tallied on a daily basis.

My city's a ghost town.
And it's likely yours is, too.
And what is worse, the ghost is still at large.

It's larger than life but equal to death.
Although invisible, this ghost casts an enormous shadow.
It drenches our hopes and dreams in darkness
while our doubts and fears are allowed to flourish in the mist of mourning.

Parents don't dare tell ghost stories to their kids.
But they'd do well to talk about their COVID-19 concerns with each other
(just not in the same room).

Is there a ghostbuster in the house?
Absolutely, there is.
It's called heeding what the authorities advise us.
It's called social distancing.
It's called diligent hand washing.
It's called working from home.
It's called worshiping remotely.
It's called checking in oftern with those we care about.
It's called calling out to the Creator for divine intervention.
It's called listening to our hearts amid the unfamiliar sounds of silence.
It's called embracing faith and renouncing despair.

Lord, have mercy!