Walking through the grocery store the other day, I walked past Jesus, who wasn’t wearing a face covering.
“Jesus”, I asked, “Would you please put on a mask?”
“Why?”, He asked.
“Because it would make me feel safer.”
I don’t believe in a god or Jesus, but the character of the Jesus I grew up with was always purported to be the most kind, the most compassionate, and the most loving person who ever lived – and we were always taught that we should emulate Him.
There are people now who somehow feel that masks aren’t very effective against the COVID virus, despite the mountains of contradictory data. No amount of showing them the science, experts, etc. will change their minds.
Starting from a position of kindness and empathy, even if masks really weren’t that effective, or even if they didn’t work at all, wouldn’t it be “Christlike” and kind to make this simple gesture – to temporarily wear a piece of cloth over your face – even if it was only to make parents, children, and the vulnerable feel a little bit safer?
You cannot do kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.
Ralph Waldo Emerson