Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is within your power to act
(Proverbs 3.27)

Therefore, as we have occasion, let us do good to everyone
(Galatians 6.10)

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus
to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
(Ephesians 2.10)

We need to respond to the pain precipitated by the pandemic by doing as much good for as many people as we have occasion. It is within our power to act, for God prepared us in advance to do so.

The physical pain experienced by millions of persons was likely unimaginable until we actually witnessed it in person and/or through the media. We heard, and still hear, the cries of those inflicted by infectious disease.

The emotional pain experienced by millions of persons was also likely unimaginable until we actually witnessed it in person and/or through the media. Some of us cried out for help when cough and fever accompanied with shortness of breath and breathing difficulties led to severe acute respiratory syndrome or worse, death, among family, friends, and neighbors.

The pandemic’s effects on personal and public health has been overwhelming. Its economic effects are increasingly disturbing, especially regarding the disproportionate impact on the poor and the potential to send millions of more persons into poverty likely increasing their exposure to potential covid-19 infection.

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it

Many people deserve good as a result of the pain precipitated by the pandemic.

People include your family, friends, acquaintances, and strangers. The good that you can give includes charity, compassion, comfort, condolences, care, companionship, cheer, creativity, congratulation, consideration, cooperation, collaboration, and confirmation.

It is within your power to act

Doing good, gives you the power to act in the midst of confounding pain precipitated by the pandemic. Doing good gives you the ability to affirm the second greatest commandment, which is to love your neighbor as yourself.

The second commandment is like the first greatest commandment, which is also to love the other “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your mind.
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.
(Matthew 22. 37 – 39)

Thus, it is within your power to act in the midst of the pandemic in ways to heal the pain precipitated by the pandemic.

As we have occasion

We have occasion to do much good for many people as a result of the pain precipitated by the pandemic.

Their pain may be the result of experiencing a lingering illness, loss of employment, fear of losing their housing, and/or a lack of food and other daily essentials. Their pain may be the result of a loved one’s health, employment, housing and/or food insecurity. Their pain may also be the result of their own, or loved one’s, feelings of isolation, uncertainty, and fright. Their fear may be heightened by anxiety over a premature death of a loved one or their own.

The scriptures inspire us to

Be wise in the way you act toward (others);
make the most of every occasion.
Let your conversation be always full of grace,
seasoned with salt,
so that you may know how to answer everyone
(Colossians 4. 5 – 6)

and to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly . . . (Colossians 3.16)” and to let the following words of Christ—“ If you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14.15)”—resonate deeply within you, especially the second greatest commandment through the present pandemic and post-pandemic era.

Let us do good to everyone

Let us do good to everyone who has been pained by the pandemic.

The scriptures inspire us to do so for we were created for good works:

For we are God’s handiwork,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.
(Ephesians 2.10)

So, how should we respond to the pain precipitated by the pandemic?

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is within your power to act for you were created for good works and as you have occasion, do good to everyone who needs to heal from the pain precipitated by the pandemic, which God prepared you to do in advance.