ASSEMBLAGE

ASSEMBLAGE Forsaking assemblage due to popular fears of contagion by Covid19 may be unprecedented in our history, if not in all of natural history. Do birds, ants, fish, other mammals, ever forego assemblage out of fears of contagion, as has man? Is Covid19 comparable to the various plagues previously known to us? Or is it something unique? If there is wellness there is also illness . If there is life there is also death . If there is affliction, there is remission. These facts we already know . But the fear of assemblage seems to be new to mankind. Fear is not new. Death is not new; nor is illness new. It is the fear of death, illness that discourages assembly. There is no fear in love for perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4 further reads : “18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” Indeed the whole book 1 John 4 is rich! So too is the entire Bible rich! for fearful and superstitious people like us who fear being what we already are, spiritual beings: who must assemble to eat , to work, to play, to recreate, for fun, faith, school, commerce, family reunion, learning, multiple forms of entertainment: all kinds of sports contest. Ultimately one must do what one must do. Amen.