Yesterday, I skyped with my mom and we, of course, ended up talking about this crisis. During the course of the conversation, I ended up talking about how the timing of this pandemic is particularly poignant. We are in the season of Lent, a time of sacrifice, self-denial, and withdrawal from the world. We are called to focus on God, and the care and love of our neighbors, to give alms and aid and prayer. In a way, this pandemic is forcing us to do what we are suppose to do voluntarily and happily.
Now, forgoing meat and dairy products and eggs is not just a guideline of the church - it is making available to others those practically rationed products. The need for alms and aid is so clear in the rise of the unemployed and the fear and solitude of vulnerable people. We are not able to gather for church and fellowship, which brings into light how blessed we are in normal times to be able to attend church openly and have Communion weekly. I find myself praying more prayers, and longer, as I am less beholden to the almighty clock.
It is a sad blessing.
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