Ironic, isn't it?

REY LAMBATIN, Choir Director
 
Life is full of ironies. About a month ago, I wrote an article intended for our church bulletin entitled Lent, Not Just Personal. It essentially discusses how our Lent journey shouldn’t just be a time for personal reflection, solitary prayer, reading or meditation, but also an opportunity for us to walk together in our faith journey. That we should take the added opportunities of the Lent season to fellowship and study together, gathering every Sunday to worship and collectively singing hymns of healing or inspiration as a choir or as a congregation, encouraging each other, engaging fully as the worshiping body, and participating in our community’s course of faith. The article’s aim is to emphasize that Lent should not just be a personal journey, but to deliberately take more time to gather and be together.

But then comes corona virus.

Now it’s all over the news - how the way families, schools, jobs, churches, the government, and countries all over the world are affected and altered. And to help prevent the virus from becoming more prevalent, we were ordered to shelter in, not to go out unless absolutely necessary, and practice social distancing. That for us to show concern and assure healing to our vulnerable church members, we should refrain from gathering in our worship space and avoid physical contact with each another. No hugs, no handshakes. Even when grocery shopping, we are asked not to bring our own bags, after years of encouraging us to do the opposite. And not visiting our grandparents or other elderly relatives and friends is an act of love and care for them.

Ironic, isn’t it.

​All these consequences go against the basis of the article I wrote. But through all these, as part of our complexities as God’s creations, we learn to adjust and cope in every situation. We always try to find ways to make things work, and thankfully, we now have the aid of technology. We hold meetings and livestream our Sunday worship services remotely, and we continue to connect with our friends and families through social media or video calls. As different as it may feel, all these help us to continue on our faith journey as a community. We will get through this together, with the strength and courage in the assurance that God will never leave or forsake us. I’m looking forward to the day when we can physically gather in worship again, and our choirs will join voices to sing music in beautiful harmony. But until then, please stay home, stay safe, and stay at least 6 feet away from each other.