There is a time in the Episcopal church between Easter and the Ascension of Christ to Heaven. 40 days of Jesus's followers waiting and wondering what's next? Those of us who have lived through the COVID 19 pandemic know that feeling of waiting. Waiting for test results, wondering what the CDC and WHO will do next. In some cases waiting for economic relief and wondering what will happen. Even now in May 2021 as things start to shift and open back up we still wait. We wait and wonder what this new post pandemic world will look like. Our church Saint John's in Fort Smith Arkansas reopened on Palm Sunday just in time for Easter. In 2019 we had celebrated Lent and Easter in the parish hall because our church was being fixed. Our congregation waited and wondered what our building would look like when it was done and when we'd be able to gather again in the church. Father Mike said next year 2020 we'll celebrate altogether in the church. God said not so fast. We waited and celebrated Easter in our homes in 2020. In 2021 Easter and the 40 days since continue to be different as we wear masks and practice social distancing meaning we are still waiting for things to " get back to normal." We also wonder what this new normal will look like.
I liken it to being in a waiting room or a holding pattern on a plane. You're almost there but you still have to wait a bit longer. It's frustrating at times because God doesn't let you in on his timeline. That's where faith comes in. You have to have faith that this will be over in God's time we just have to wait.
