Sister Loretta in recovery
Recently, I received the weekly ponderings of a friend who reflected on a poem of the great poet Rumi. She commented that in The Guest House he compares human beings to a guest house, “where every morning [there is] a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor… Welcome and entertain them all!”
I definitely did not smile and welcome the visitor called COVID-19 that came to visit me in person on April 23, 2020. I wanted to slam the door and pretend that it wasn’t there on the other side. Since I had not experienced any symptoms of the dreaded virus and had been in close contact with the Sisters here at the Residence, my greatest fear at the time was that I had unwittingly infected others. That fear was alleviated when only two others were declared positive at that time and I didn’t think I was the result.
In spite of my reluctance, I could do nothing but allow that very unwelcome guest to take up residence in my body. During the time it remained with me, there were days when I didn’t even have the energy to complain to God and ask, “Why me?” or to express my gratitude that I was still able to breathe with the help of my ever-present oxygen tube.
Now that I have recuperated, I do try to remember to express my gratitude for my health and being able to enjoy the ease of breathing and the beauty of God’s lovely nature as I take my daily walks in the great outdoors.
- Sister Loretta Hagen, csj
Here is the poem:
The Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.
— Jalaluddin Rumi, translation by Coleman Barks (The Essential Rumi)