It is the silence that strikes me the most. In these days of stay-at-home social distancing and self quarantine, I have been filing my Catholic Standard stories from the “office” in the guest bedroom of my home. When it is time for a break, my poodle, Dusty, and I go for a quick walk and a breath of fresh air.

What I notice – from our first predawn walk until our last stroll before bedtime – is how quiet the streets are. There are no cars zooming by, no chatter among neighbors across the backyard fence, no laughter or squeals coming from children at the playground near my home.

COVID-19, or perhaps the fear of COVID-19, seems to have muzzled us as much as it has concerned and alarmed and isolated us.

On my walks with Dusty, I seldom see others on the street. And those I do see are usually alone or with just one other person. Most times, passers-by and I give each other wide berths with silent smiles and nods of acknowledgement. No words generally are spoken.

COVID-19 reminds me of the plagues and pestilences of the Old Testament, and I find more and more that when I turn to my Bible, it is in the Old Testament that I linger and read and meditate. Recently, I was reading Lamentations (which I thought was appropriate not only for Lent, but for this current coronavirus pandemic) and I came across this: “It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” (3:26) 

At first the silence – pardon the mixed metaphor – disquieted me. I like the background patter of everyday life that reminds me that I am part of a vibrant, thriving community. Now, I embrace the silence. I like the silence. I revel in the silence. Why? The answer is found in Exodus 14:14: “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”