An Easter Season like no other - of absence – of Presence

One of our regular songs has been dinging in my head for the past few weeks:

‘Where are you God? Where can we find you?’

In one of the verses, the composer/author Ian Callanan writes:

Is it you who are the face of Christ in everyone we see?

More than ever before, I’m beginning to understand this more deeply, not only from recalling the well-known dilemma of the disciples headed to Emmaus, but also from the daily non-verbal homilies of so many people – in so many places, many of whom are going way beyond the ‘extra mile’.

When the ‘shelter-in-place’ (“SIP-time”) was first mandated, I was somewhat frustrated to not be able to do more, until someone reminded me of my ‘wacky’ immune system, and said: ‘your gift right now is to keep the heck out of the way, so as not to take up needed space in hospitals!’ I have learned that there are many ways ...

Another friend encouraged me to experience an ‘empty mind, a surrendered heart, time to rest and BE, - and God.’ In ways that I could never have imagined, the absence of celebrating known rituals with the gathered community each week, has been like an extended retreat time, a re-set button, a time to really listen to ‘the God within’. And - this absence has also helped me appreciate more than ever the dynamic gift of celebrating in person with the community each week.

As Marty Haugen encourages us in our oft-sung hymn based on Corinthians 12 and 13:

We are many parts, we are all one body,
and the gifts we have we are given to share.
May the Spirit of love make us one indeed;
one, the love that we share, one, our hope in despair,
one, the cross that we bear.

I am fortunate to share this time with Jim, and to share a flexible and beautiful daily routine including meditation and prayer time, reading (of all kinds), “walks in beauty” – both in neighborhoods and the hills nearby, and the omni-present Scrabble challenge! It was a privilege and joy to create together our simple “Music Meditation for Holy Week”.

At the same time, I very much feel for those who are struggling – physically, financially, psychologically, and don’t have the luxury of this opportunity we have.

Another of our well-known songs by Richard Gillard that Jim & I used as part of our wedding vows, is most apt at this time:

Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you;
... we are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.

Franciscan sister and scientist Ilia Delio writes:

“Christianity can help us realize that death and resurrection are part of
the evolutionary path toward wholeness; ... Something dies but something new is born—which is why the chaos of our times is, in a strange way, a sign of hope; something new is being born within. Out of chaos, a star is born. Breakdown can be break through if we recognize a new pattern of life struggling to emerge ...

We ourselves are not the source of that hope; we do not manufacture it. But the source dwells deeply within us and flows to us with an unstinting abundance, so much so that in fact it might be more accurate to say we dwell within it.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if this whole experience became a "re-set button" for taking better care of each other - and our planet?

Where are you, God?
Are you the breath within creation and in me?