We Are Called to Grieve--even in a culture of denial

By


 It's hard to imagine the scope of the loss our country and community are suffering through due to the coronavirus/COVID-19.  Montezuma County has recorded 18 COVID-related deaths, and in a community of our size these deaths are not abstractions--we know who they are, we know their names, and we grieve for the families.  On the Navajo Nation, there have been at least 9,229 deaths due to COVID as of January 19th.  Too many of these people have died alone and far from home after being transferred to hospitals off the Nation.  

The total number of reported COVID-related deaths in the United States is 399,500 (reported by Johns Hopkins COVID tracking as of 11am on January 19).  That number will likely be over 400,000 by this evening.  Approximately 3,000-4,000 people are dying from COVID every single day.  Every single day.  

Visualizing the extent of these losses is a difficult thing--it's such an enormous number of human lives.  In preparation for today's prayers and bell-ringing, I tried to think of ways to help all of us understand what it means to lose 400,000 Americans in a matter of months.  

Here are some comparisons:

Losing 400,000 lives is like completely wiping out the population of Tulsa, OK, or Tampa, FL...the whole cities.

If each life were one inch and laid end to end, 400,000 lives would equal 6.3 miles.

400,000 minutes equals 9 months of time.  One person dying each minute for nine months.

400,000 lives lost is greater than the number of American lives lost in World War One, Viet Nam and Korea combined.  When we pass 405,000, we will surpass the number of American deaths in World War Two.

One lighted candle puts out 12.5 lumens.  Consider each life is one lighted candle. Multiply it out, and 400,000 candles would produce 5,000,000 lumens.  Imagine a field of 400,000 burning candles.  That's how much light has been taken out of our communities, our country, and individual families.

I know this sounds like a "Debbie Downer" post--and it is.  But as a congregation, as a community, as a nation, we have yet to fully acknowledge the magnitude of our loss.  I offered a quote yesterday from Walter Brueggeman.  It says that the church has three prophetic and important tasks in our society:  To tell the TRUTH in the midst of illusions, to GRIEVE in a society that practices denial, and to OFFER HOPE for a world in despair.

GRIEF and HOPE are inextricably entwined.  First we acknowledge all we have lost.  Then we open our hearts and claim the promise of God:  Death is not the end.  Death is the doorway to a new beginning.  A new beginning for those who have died, for those who grieve their loss, and for all people who can courageously follow Christ--even through the valley of the shadow of death.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you are with me.  Your rod and your staff will comfort me."  (Psalm 23)

Remember.  Grieve.  And courageously choose Hope.

Peace and all good,

Pastor Jean

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ASH WEDNESDAY 2021

By
Image
Since we're unable to be together in worship for Ash Wednesday, here is a prayer to get us thinking about the meaning of the day, the meaning of Lent, and most importantly--where we are in our journey of faith right now.  Last year our congregation joined with other United Methodist churches in our area for a wonderful, interactive, intergenerational Ash Wednesday worship time.  Today the sanctuary sits empty and cold.  Perhaps after a year of pandemic life there are places inside us that also feel empty and cold.  As we begin the season of Lent, let's reflect on those places, then open ourselves to the power and possibility of God.  During these 40 days of Lent, may we all be honest with ourselves about the state of our souls.  Only then can we allow God to bless us and bring us through. Prayer for Ash Wednesday Purifying Mystery, your light exposes in us all that we hide.  Awaken us and all your Holy Church to spiritual combat. Lead us to purity ...
Read more

Despite Everything...We Are the Light of Christ

By
Image
  "Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God."  (Matthew 5:9) I have a pit in my stomach this morning, and a heaviness in my heart.   After witnessing the frightening events from our nation's capitol yesterday, I've received several requests for me to comment and reflect on the situation.  Like you, I was shocked and horrified to see the Capitol building broken into, vandalized and disrespected.  Unfortunately, these events grew out of multiple years of increasing division and disrespect in our government leaders and in our local communities.  Taken to its extreme form, it beca me OK for deluded citizens to attempt to take over our legally elected leaders.   So how do we, as Christians, respond?  We are certainly not the first Christian people to be confronted by dysfunctional government or violent events.  I believe it is important for us to take some deep breaths, turn off the TV, and center o...
Read more

The Longest Night

By
Image
Tonight is the longest night of the year for those of us living in the northern hemisphere of Planet Earth.  Ancient humans watched throughout this long night, then celebrated joyously when the light returned with the sunrise.  They knew the darkness would gradually be vanquished, and growth and life would eventually return.  In short, they knew they would survive. For us, tonight is the longest night of the year in a year that has seemed interminable. It feels like we've been dwelling in darkness for a very long time--spiritual, emotional, physical darkness.  It feels like a physical weight we've been carrying or anxiety we've been clenching tightly.  For far too many of us, the darkness has been in the form of grief.  Too many lives lost.  Too many families broken.  Too many patients lost.  Too many caregivers exhausted.  Tonight is indeed the longest night of the year. We can choose to dwell in the darkness--and it is actually importa...
Read more