Friends in Christ,
We are not gathering for worship on Sunday, but we will be together in spirit and in prayer. There is so much uncertainty in the world. The request from our governor for physical distancing of ourselves is one that I and the council thought we should do – for the sake of the neighbor. Jesus calls us to love and care for the neighbor, especially the most vulnerable, and this is one really concrete way that we can do this. In addition, I have come down with a head cold (I feel pretty good and have no symptoms of the corona virus) but I am taking the advice of medical people -- as well as what would be my advice to you – and staying home. But in this time of anxiety and stress, Vicar Becca and I will be sharing scripture and prayer and our reflections as one way of connecting with you. Feel free to contact us by email, text or phone (my cell is best). Let’s begin with a word of prayer. This is from the ELCA website and written for this purpose:
Let us pray: God, our peace and our strength, we pray for our nation and the world as we face new uncertainties around coronavirus. Protect the most vulnerable among us, especially all who are currently sick or in isolation. Grant wisdom, patience, and clarity to health care workers, especially as their work caring for others puts them at great risk. Protect and guide our families, workplaces, and communities. Be with us, the people of Faith-Lilac Way and all the congregations who are fasting from worship together in our time apart. Give us courage to face these days not with fear but with compassion, concern, and acts of service, trusting that you abide with us always; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
At a time like this, this scripture came to mind. The word of God from Philippians chapter 4:
2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Paul is writing to a community who is experiencing a challenge. We don’t know what the issue or the problem is between Euodia and Syntyche, but whatever it is, Paul asks these two women, as faithful people, to lay their differences aside and to be “of the same mind in the Lord.” He then encourages his companion to help them and the rest of his co-workers to come together for the sake of the community.
When we think of coming together – I usually assume that means meeting together. I love being with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Sunday morning is the high point in my week. It fills me with great joy to hear God’s word, share in the sacrament, give offering, hear the choir, sing praises to God and worship together with you my brothers and sisters in Christ. But just like for Euodia and Syntyche, challenges come our way. This time the challenge isn’t two people with differing opinions. This time, the challenge comes in the form of the corona virus, Covid 19. We have seen that this virus doesn’t know any bounds between nationalities or people but that it is most dangerous to those who are most vulnerable. This is why we are “fasting” from our worship together.
But, while we are choosing to be physically apart, we can still be spiritually together in Christ no matter where we are. Paul’s encouragement to the Philippians reminds them, that whatever the cause of the disruption or disagreements in their lives, they can “rejoice in the Lord always…. Because the Lord is near. ” And so can we. We can rejoice that, when trials and even viruses come our way – and they do – then we can still rejoice because God is with us. That is Jesus’ promise. In Matthew, Jesus reminds his disciples – and us: “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
We too can “rejoice in the Lord always” because the Lord has promised to be with us. We can seek to “fast” from worry and anxiety. We still need to be prepared. We still need to take all the safety precautions. But… instead of worrying, let us seek to put the energy that we might use in worrying into praying. Let us pray for those who are infected with the disease – and for their families. And let us lift up, with prayers of thanksgiving that Jesus has promised to be with us – regardless of the circumstance. This brings peace – God’s shalom and wholeness and healing to our hearts and our lives.
Brothers and sisters, friends in Christ, my prayer for you is that you be safe from all danger but even more than that, my prayer for you is that “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Amen!
Let us pray, “Gracious God, let your peace, the peace that passes all understanding, surround us and all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.