Easter! Lilies! Bunnies! Chocolate! Eggs! Masks! Like a Sesame Street puzzle what doesn’t belong here? Well, there is no doubt that this past year has seen a change in worship. Gradually churches, synagogues, temples, mosques are reopening and believers will reconvene to celebrate their faith. If you are fully vaccinated, wear a mask, keep distance, you can return, but unlike spring breakers in Miami, there will be rules and decreased capacity.

Following a year of lock down, strength is returning. Perhaps you watched services on line, pining to be with others. Rest assured God did not quarantine even if He could not be worshiped in masses. How many times did you pray this year? How often did you offer thanks? When you were afraid, didn’t a calm reverence come to you? Wasn’t gratitude and peace also a part of your new routine? If someone was ill or suffering how quickly did you offer prayer? This year perhaps God became a more personal presence in your life. You missed family, friends and your congregation, but you did not forget how to pray.

Melva lost her robust fifty year old husband to covid after Christmas vacation. She has many of her own challenges with illness, but she describes feeling his presence with her daily. Dee is alone as she celebrates her cancer-free scan, “Doc my mother died of covid last summer, but I feel her hand on my shoulder today”. Many patients who have worked hard for wellness often remark, “It’s now in God’s hands”. The presence of a spiritual life is strong and even more so after this challenging year. Let’s all celebrate the goodness and joy that is near today.

You may not be ready to see the beautiful bank of lilies on the alter or hear the hymns or receive communion in communion with others, but you are ready and able to be grateful for every way your faith has gifted you, guided and protected you and gave you hope. Resurrection is possible everyday. Happy Easter and may God’s light continue to shine in you.