Holy Week will be radically changed this year, as millions worldwide watch services from home, due to the pandemic.
Still, despite empty churches, the story of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ will be read aloud on Good Friday, providing lessons to help us endure this crisis.
First, no matter how dark our situation may be, let’s cling to the power of prayer. One thief dying next to Christ made a simple request, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus was in agonizing pain, bleeding from open wounds, and could have answered quickly, “Yes, I’ll remember you.”
But the man received a much greater blessing, because Jesus promised him a special place in the kingdom: “This day, you will be with me in paradise.” The thief asked for so little, but received tenfold more than that!
Do we feel sometimes God has forgotten us during this painful moment in history? Perhaps we’re home alone, like so many widows and widowers, and sorely missing the company of our spouse.
Perhaps we’re in the front lines, working in a hospital or clinic, and knowing each day we may contract the illness. Perhaps we’re working in a grocery store or pharmacy, and we fret about bringing the illness home to our family.
Let’s pray like the thief — “Lord, remember me!” — and cherish the answer in the book of Isaiah: “I will not forget you … I have carved you on the palm of my hand.”
Second, let’s take care of others who are suffering during the quarantine. At the foot of the cross stood Jesus’ mother, who didn’t utter a word, but was surely agonizing over her son’s death.
We can assume she was a widow, because Jesus wanted to ensure she’d be protected after his death. And, despite his pain, he established a new relationship between Mary and the apostle John, by saying to John, “Behold, thy mother!” and to her, “Behold thy son!”
Early Christians believed John symbolized Jesus’ followers everywhere, so in that moment, Mary became a mother to all Christians — which is why she’s venerated as our “Blessed Mother” by the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church.
How can we imitate Jesus’ compassion during this pandemic? Some of us can run errands for older people and folks who are immunocompromised.
We can telephone neighbors, relatives and friends eager for the sound of a human voice. How precious has been the sweet voice of a friend’s little girl, calling to tell me what she’s baking that day and how her garden is doing.
Some pastors and rabbis are sending out encouraging letters via email and social media. Some churches have volunteers eager to run errands and help assuage the loneliness of people in quarantine.
Let’s not forget the jobless people struggling to feed their families. We can contribute to charities that care for the poor, such as the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Salvation Army, among others.
Third, we may find comfort in realizing God isn’t a stranger to our suffering, as shown by the plaintive cry from the cross, “My God! My God! Why hast thou abandoned me?”
Skeptics claim Jesus fell into despair at that moment, but these words from Psalm 22 are spoken directly to God as a natural cry of distress.
If we at times feel bereft of God’s comfort during this pandemic, it may help to realize the psalm ends on a comforting note, assuring us of God’s nearness: “He did not hide his face from me, but heard when I cried out.”
Dear readers, as we reflect on Good Friday, let’s remember the story’s ultimate ending on Easter Sunday. May the joy of the Resurrection remain forever in your hearts!
