Greetings,
We are in the season of Lent, which started on 17 Feb and ends 3 April. This is normally the period where Christians fast and pray, commencing with Ash Wednesday, “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return”. It is a time of giving up something, habit(s), luxuries, or something within your daily routine e.g. like watching T.V. This exercise of being stripped is meant to spur reflection, prompting us to explore our relationship with ourselves, others, creation, and God. This process prepares us for the celebration of Easter. It is a time to let go, reconnect, and become more mindful of the precious gift of life.
It was on 5 March 2020 when the first COVID-19 case was reported in South Africa, and on 27 March 2020 national lockdown was implemented. In South Africa, it is our one-year anniversary of living with this deadly virus that turned our world upside down. It seems COVID-19 forced us into a Lenten journey where we’ve been deprived of what we deem normal. We have been forced to keep curfews, work remotely, wear masks, keep our distance, sanitise our hands. We were deprived of family gatherings, hugs, attending Sunday services, communion, baptism, funerals, and so many of the rituals that punctuate our lives. And of course, there was the ban on certain clothing, household goods, cigarettes and alcohol. This, paired with continued government corruption, economic hardships, and uncertainties about the future, has made this a tough journey impacting us and the globe on every front. There have been brief moments of relief, moving up or down on the level scale, only to be forced to give things up again. COVID-19 has changed our world forever.
For these reasons, I made a conscious choice not to give up something for Lent this year. Instead, I will find other ways to engage with the Lenten spirit. I will take the time to engage with the small moments, where life reveals Herself to me, where my humanity is revealed, seen, heard, and connected. Where I can once again dare to feel the gift of life and embrace it fully.
Whether you have given something up for Lent or not, I encourage all of us to be kind to ourselves, to one another, and to creation. Treasure the moments where life shows herself - feeling the rain on your face; those quiet moments with ourselves, listening to the song of the birds, the whooshing sound of the wind; the smile of a loved one, enjoying a moment with your family/friend(s) … moments that tell us that, you too, are loved, a co-creator with the Universe, God’s precious creation, and your life has value.
May the journey towards the opened, empty tomb be profound and gentle. May you be accompanied on this journey, and may Easter bring us all renewed hope!
