The phrase, “Hindsight is 20/20,” is an apt description for the year 2020. Looking back at the past ten months, it’s easier for us to notice how our lives and ministries have been radically altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The unanticipated global pandemic has forced leaders from all walks of life to adapt and innovate in response to unforeseen circumstances brought about by an invisible enemy; an enemy that indiscriminately sickens and kills people.
In my case, as a called and ordained minister of Word and Sacrament, the pandemic required that I become a consumer of information. That is, I had to learn as much about the insidious virus as possible and heed the recommendations of medical professionals, county health officials, and representatives of state and national governments. In many ways, it was a lot to take in all at once — like trying to take a drink of water from a fire hose.
But educating oneself is only part of the story. Developing and implementing recommended safety protocols required the assistance and support of a team of passionate and dedicated individuals, especially in light of the deeply partisan divisions and skepticism regarding recommendations provided by the Centers of Disease Control and government leaders. Crisis management had to be learned on the fly and trust had to be earned.
Though a collaborative decision was made to close our church building for a time (mid-March through June), it was vitally important to communicate as widely and as often as possible that we continued to be the body of Christ, the church together, in this place.
Hindsight provides clarity. It also helps us to appreciate and to give thanks for the ministries that flourished in a time of physical distancing, stay-at-home mandates, and widespread fear and anxiety about what the future might hold for us. So, even in the midst of a pandemic, it’s important to recognize this reality, the reality that we are the church together, and to give thanks to all who gave generously of their talents, financial resources, and gifts during a challenging time. It’s important to acknowledge and celebrate the work of our ministry partners whose passion and dedication made possible the important work of ministry and mission in the midst of an ongoing pandemic. Examples include: broadcasting worship services on the radio; expanding the reach of our worship services by livestreaming them on Facebook; uploading worship and devotional videos to YouTube; participating in Bible studies, book discussions, continuing education events and other meetings remotely through Zoom; developing and implementing safety protocols to keep us safe when the church building re-opened in July; assisting with the worship services; delivering Sunday School at Home packets; sanitizing the worship space following each service; making quilts for Lutheran World Relief; supporting the ongoing work of our educational ministries and social concerns outreach.
Who among us could have imagined such creative adaptations would be forced upon us a mere eight months ago? Yet, here we are. The called, equipped, and sent ones.
The Apostle Paul believed that Christ crucified and risen revealed the way to new life “in Christ.” According to Paul, life “in Christ” involved transformation and rebirth. Such a view informs our Lutheran perspective of Holy Baptism; a time when God claims us as beloved children, joins us to Christ in a death like his, and raises us to new life in a resurrection like his so that “just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
Crucifixion and resurrection. Dying and rising. Not only are these apt images of internal transformation and the daily pilgrimage that all of the baptized make, they also give voice to what so many of us have experienced during 2020, the year of the pandemic. Scripture teaches us that life “in Christ” always leads us through death to life. It’s a journey that involves dying and rising with Christ. This is our baptismal journey. Having been raised to new life “in Christ,” we no longer live for ourselves, but for Christ and our neighbor. The result is new life, new opportunities, and new possibilities.
Yes there is darkness, division, and death in the world. Many of us know this reality all too well right now. But in the midst of the chaos and uncertainty there is Jesus, the crucified and risen One, who promises to be with us always. And while it may be tempting to let fear take hold, or to pine for the days gone by, may God give us the strength to trust in the reality that Jesus died and rose from the dead to bring new life and to transform the world through God’s love. And because of this reality, we trust that the living Christ meets us in our worshipping community; a people of faith called, empowered, equipped, and sent to be Christ’s body and to participate in God’s transformative and redemptive mission for the world.
Walking to Golgotha 