Easter is a season of hope and renewal
Editorial
“For God so loved the world, that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have eternal life.” ( John 3:16) This Sunday, Christians around the world will celebrate the miracle of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Normally, this week would be filled with religious services following Jesus’ path from his superstar welcome into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, to his crucifixion and death on Good Friday, culminating with his resurrection on Easter Sunday.
In place of packed in church pews, this year, the faithful will be tuned into their mobile devices, computer monitors, radios and televisions to hear the good word. The COVID-19 pandemic has closed churches to the public to prevent the spread of the illness.
As we have seen throughout history, disease-causing pathogens have little regard for faith or human holidays, and are creatures of opportunity, spreading most swiftly among large gatherings, especially among the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.
Closing the churches and keeping them closed despite it being the Easter season, was the correct choice to protect public health. Last weekend’s request by some members of the state legislature to allow an exception to social distancing orders for Easter church services, was a cheap political stunt aimed at trying to undermine support for Gov. Tony Evers and state public health officials.
Playing politics when peoples’ lives are a stake is beyond reproach.
While political leaders and medical experts work to protect public health, church leaders across denominations and of all creeds, are equally hard at work ensuring people’s spiritual health.
The Easter message of sacrifice, resiliency in faith and rebirth, is especially meaningful in light of current world and local concerns. While people in this region have largely viewed the COVID-19 pandemic as an inconvenience causing cancellations and hurting their livelihoods, others in larger communities have seen the deathly seriousness of it first-hand.
It would be easy to slip into despair. Just as it is easy on the lenten journey in the weeks before Easter to lose faith.
In troubled times, it is important to not lose faith. There must be faith that there will be brighter days ahead. There must be faith that there is an inscrutable plane to all of this. Helping people keep the faith is why religious and spiritual leaders are so important in times such as these.
During this Easter season, take the time to tune in to your, or another church’s, broadcast or streaming services. Remember, that while all those watching are physically apart, they are still connected by bonds that transcend this earth.
In this time of darkness, doubt and fear, it is important to keep the faith.
Members of the Courier Sentinel editorial board include publisher Carol O’Leary, general manager Kris O’Leary and Star News editor Brian Wilson.
