As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. – John 9:1-5 (NRSV)
“This is going to be the hardest and the saddest week of most Americans’ lives…” Dr. Jerome Adams, U.S. Surgeon General.
These are indeed difficult, dark times. What started as a vague worry became an inconvenience and now we feel a rising sense of dread. By now many of us know at least one person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19. We have seen the numbers rising exponentially.
And again the irony – or the opportunity. The week that the Surgeon General declares will likely be the worst is the very week that for Christians is the most holy. This is the week when we “plumb the depths.” Traditionally we hold a service called “Tenebrae” at which we tell the story of Jesus passion and death, extinguishing candles as we go, and end in darkness. This darkness symbolizes Jesus’ death.
Another tradition in this week is to kindle a new flame on Easter morning. The darkness of Jesus’ death is driven away by the bright shining dawn of a new day. And the light that was in the world through one person, Jesus, becomes light for the whole world reflected in the lives of those who believe.
Jesus is the light of the world. In the gathering darkness his light shines through our work.
Even as we travel this lonesome highway, we have confidence. We are not alone. Christ is with us.
Lord Jesus, be our light. In this time of fear, give us hope. In this time of doubt, give us confidence. In this time of disease, bring us healing in body, mind, and spirit. Guide the minds and hands of all who care and who fight this pandemic. Even in the darkest night, we know the dawn awaits. Amen.
Pastor George