Reproached from Neighbors

Day 3) Psalm 44:3- “You have made us a reproach for our neighbors”

“A reproach” is to address someone with disapproval.  But the origins infer people started to come near but then backed off.  Someone may want to shake your hand, but if you say, “I’ve got he coronavirus” they’ll back off pretty quickly.  They might “treat you as if you had the plague” (a rather old expression dating back to the 1400s). 
But it is sad to be a reproach to your neighbors. Most people want to be liked, or if not liked at least not derided.  This verse also is blaming God for the reproach.  Jesus was made a reproach on the cross.  Perhaps we have been there blaming God for our reproachment.  Maybe you have felt like this is all God’s fault for allowing viruses into this world to begin with and then allowing it into ours.  Certainly, God can lift our reproach and bring us together again.
     Part of isolation is a mild form of alienation from neighbors.  Some are afraid.  Some think we are somehow "cursed" (whether they say so or not).  Psalm 44 ends- and perhaps our thoughts on being a reproach should end, with the plea: "Rise up and help us; redeem us because of your unfailing love."  The love of others waxes and wanes but God's love is unfailing.  To this we appeal when we are reproached. 

Prayer: Lord,  Hear my cry for mercy.  Help me to love my neighbors and for they in turn to love me in my time of weakness and isolation.