Today marks the 27th day of the Lenten season. We of the Christian faith mark it as a time of somber reflection and inward examination of our spirit and relationship with God. It is a time sacrifice, of mending fences, of humility, of looking beyond our own needs to the needs of others. Lent 2020 has become more than all that. Juxtaposed with the traditions of the season is a worldwide pandemic caused by the coronavirus, aka COVID-19. Its onslaught has altered our norms and interrupted those traditions. As of this posting, it rages like uncontrolled wildfires. According to news reports, the United States now leads the world in the number of confirmed cases of the virus. If greatestness is measured by who holds the #1 ranking, then we’ve achieved it. America is great again. An awful parody I know, but fitting for the times.
The nation that purportedly is the leader of western civilization in all things now leads it infamously in the number of citizens infected by this virus for which there is yet a cure or vaccine. How did we achieve this standing? With willful ignorance and an inordinate amount of pride- the same pride that scripture teaches goes before a great fall. Months ago when authorities received the first warnings, it appears little or nothing was done in preparation to stave the infection rates, to equip the medical communities. What the primary leader of the nation did do is downplay its seriousness. A moment that might have been seized as an opportunity to respond positively was lost. God’s grace was in that forewarning, and pride caused us to squander it. That’s what Pride does – it leans to its own understanding and shuns the guidance God offers if we will but seek it.
All I can say is, if this is what leadership from the executive branch of our government calls making America great again, we’re in for even more pain and suffering and death than we currently are experiencing. I pray for the Lord to have even more mercy upon us all; to lead us out of this quagmire of hubris, transform us, and give us spirits of humility. If but for the sake of the few who are righteous, O God, save your people.
Love. Joy. Peace.