#BTEditorial – A time for hope

We are on the cusp of Good Friday and Easter and no doubt this year’s observances will be unlike any other we have experienced in the long story of our island nation.

It’s normally a sacred and solemn time, then merry and joyous time of spring cleaning, family gatherings, Easter bonnets, egg hunts, kite flying, the Oistins Fish Festival and a whole range of other activities we love

This time around there will be no such outings, mass church gatherings are off-limits with services held online, and instead of Easter potlucks around the table, we will meet virtually on whatever electronic platform we choose to connect with family and loved ones.

COVID-19, the new sheriff in town, mandates two activities: social distancing and shelter indoors.

Admittedly, it’s bittersweet, but the serendipity and irony of it all shouldn’t be missed.

This weekend culminates the 40-day Lenten period during which believers spent time in reflection on Jesus’ testing withdrawal into the wilderness without food and then his ultimate sacrifice.

Certainly, our experience with the unwanted arrival of the dreaded COVID-19 since December 2019 has brought with it this period of uncertainty, change and testing that we could never have imagined.

To date, more than 1.5 million people have been infected by the deadly virus. Over 90,000 have perished.

Many are fearful. Normal life has been turned upside down. The routine things that we took for granted daily have been snatched from us in the blink of an eye. And we are forced to confront how fragile things are, and particularly our own mortality,

The Lenten season also teaches us about sacrifice. The sacrifice of time, talent and attention by doctors, nurses and all other frontline workers, who, though threatened by the spectre of infection turn up every day to help the sick recover or stay with the dying because family members cannot be there.

And what of the pain of separation? Well, this is our wilderness experience.

These days we are forced to live separate lives.

A common hug and handshake could be deadly. Several countries have locked out the world. Others are pressing citizens to stay indoors with curfews. And there are no major signs that the virus is about to abate or that a vaccine is near.

Still, the indefatigable human spirit – and the holy spirit Christians are called upon to invoke – are indelible reminders that we cannot surrender to this microscopic menace. Hope springs eternal.

And for this reason, Easter celebrations take on a whole new meaning.

For believers, Easter signals hope and new beginnings after the pain and tragedy of crucifixion. Death did not conquer all. There was indeed resurrection.

And as the resurrection story tells us, this too shall pass.

It doesn’t seem like it right now, but it will.

There is always hope. We must believe and look forward to better days ahead.

Believers may not be able to physically attend church with loved ones but a building does not a church make, and the Almighty is not limited by four walls.

And if you are not religious, you can still celebrate life; indeed, COVID-19 has made it so much more precious.

We all have been jolted from the things we think we can’t do without and stripped of all the extras that take up so much of our time.

But guess what? We have that much more time to reflect, connect safely with those in our families and our communities, and rest.

Now is the best time to refocus our lives, on a personal level and as a country. To take the opportunity to reassess our values and actions. To determine to live a well-balanced, wholesome life.

While you are at it – remember those on the front line: the cleaners, the doctors, the nurses, the law enforcers, the store workers, and the leaders who are working so we can be safe. For once, let’s put aside the complaining and the politicking, remain positive, hopeful, and stay indoors.

A happy and blessed Easter to all.