A Faithful Response to Anti-Vaccine People
Written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“Jesus drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen.”
According to CNN, one in every 500 Americans has died of Covid-19. That sounds shocking until we realize on our 1000-member congregation, we’ve had more than ten members die of Covid. Because these individuals have died in a hospital without visitation, we can pretend their deaths weren’t real. We make offensive, asinine statements about how the vast majority of the dead “were old anyway.” I have heard few more thoughtless and irreverent comments in my life, and I am from the Iron Range!
Those who are anti-vaccine followers are in denial because they cannot feel so out of control. We all want our lives back, but sticking one’s head in the sand and pretending people are not dying is dangerous to ourselves and those around us. Choosing to remain unvaccinated is not a faithful response. In Jesus’ name, we are called to care for others and to put their needs above our own. Getting a safe shot and wearing a mask is a small price to pay to assist ourselves and others in a life and death situation.
Nationwide, we are averaging 1,500 Covid deaths every day. It was March since we’ve witnessed such suffering. Every two and a half days, we are experiencing the same number of fatalities to Covid as we had on 9/11/01. Think of all the memorials, the special services, and the uniting of our nation after 9/11. Now, consider that so many of those same patriotic individuals who waved flags joined the military, or spoke out in solidarity against terrorism, are placing so many families, friends, and neighbors in harm’s way.
My response to the anti-vaccine people may sound harsh for a devotional, but sometimes the most loving thing we can do for others is to be brutally honest. I believe Jesus would pull the anti-vaccine people together and kick over their tables. It is our task to pray that through the power of the Holy Spirit, all people might know the saving power of the gospel and the saving power of the Covid-19 vaccines. To be a faithful follower of Jesus may require is to kick over a few anti-vaccine tables.