Recently, I got the opportunity to go to (socially distanced, masked up) church with a friend. I usually watch church at home these days (and not every week, sadly), so going in person is a rare treat.

As this friend and I were talking before worship began, they shared with me how many of the church members they go to group studies with say they aren’t afraid of the virus, and believe that if they caught it they’d survive it. The implication was that these folks were annoyed that they had to wear masks in church.

My feathers ruffled.

“What about everyone around them?” I asked my friend. “What about those people going home to elderly family members? Or those who care for immunocompromised kids like my nephew, who — in no uncertain terms — would die if he caught this virus?”

I recognize that there are different attitudes in this nation regarding the virus and whether or not masks help to stop the spread — but frankly, I was disturbed that at a Christian church, the attitude was so … selfish.

Love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. That’s it. That is the core of the Christian faith, and the simplest and most elegant phrase the Bible gives us to encapsulate our beliefs.

As the worship music began, my mind was stuck on this conversation. Suddenly, something popped into my head and I grabbed a notebook and pen out of my purse to write this down:

By wearing this mask, I love my neighbor.

Wearing a mask isn’t all about protecting me. In fact, it’s mostly about protecting others. It doesn’t matter that it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable. I wear a mask so I don’t spread germs in a pandemic. It’s that simple.

To say that everything is political these days would be an understatement. But this doesn’t feel political to me. It’s how we protect each other.

Love your neighbor.

Love your neighbor.

Love your neighbor.

That’s all.