COVID-19, how I hate thee, get behind me, Satan of disease. You interrupt our lives, keep our community from public worship, and cast fear into the hearts of the vulnerable. May you cast your fear upon those who are not responsive or responsible enough to maintain social distancing and practice good hygiene.
No one knows the future, short-term or long-term. But I know that those who put their faith in God and share their faith with their children and others are prepared for any and all futures.
Our reading for worship this Sunday (either by email or video if I can manage) is from Psalm 23. Recall verse 4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." If we have a Christian mindset and a faith-filled heart, we will endure viruses, cancers, illnesses, injuries, and yes, even death. Christ has redeemed us from our sins and given us eternal life.
Lent is an appropriate time to reconnect with our faith if we have strayed. A time to read the Bible, meditate, pray, fast, and lead a disciplined life.
At this time we do not know when the church will be re-opened. It is essential to meet and maintain our faith community, and we agonize when we are separated from each other. This too shall pass in time. I think of the Jews exiled from the temple in Jerusalem and forced to march into Babylon - a time of grieving and loss. During this exile period, much of the Hebrew Scripture was written, capturing the oral worship traditions so they would never be lost. Eventually, the Jews did return. A second temple was built. Joy was restored.
"I will fear no evil" is what we should meditate on in this time of trial.
God's peace be with you all,
Pastor Curtis