Some feel the COVID-19 pandemic has laid an egg on the Celebration of Easter and all that it represents.
The first Easter I'm sure found the most faithful huddled away from their congregations, hiding out with a different fear. Instead of a pandemic, the disciples were afraid of the religious and political authorities who’d crucified Jesus and were likely coming after them too. Maybe, they also feared Jesus. After all, they’d sworn never to deny or disown him, but when everything went south, they’d scrambled and fled, leaving a small group of women to keep the faith afloat. And now Jesus was loose! It is said that the disciples’ socially-distant hideout proved a bad barrier. Jesus appeared in their midst (John 20:19–21) to forgive and to bless and, a few weeks thereby, to empower with his very Spirit.
It is this same Holy Spirit who has empowered Christians to serve and to love through every crisis—from pandemics to natural disasters and world wars.
Christians built the first hospitals where caring for the sick could happen safely. Their courageous conviction to love and care for the least and the poor bore witness to the Spirit’s power.
Many wonder about the recent pandemic & effects on the churches but those who have the foresight may be able to see that even with church’s absence, its literal emptying pews, this too can function as a symbol of the trust in God’s ability to meet us regardless of the location. The Lord's Church remains the church whether we gather or scatter.
May the celebration of the Spirit be with you no matter where you are this day and all days.
Nana
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