Between Ascension Day and Pentecost

*** Die deutsche Fassung zu diesem Beitrag wurde gestern eingestellt.
The Corona-virus made me look at the Christian calendar in an all new way. We were fasting in a new way, abstaining from friends and social life rather than alcohol or sweets.  There were few controls in berlin, so we could have cheated and yet, most people did comply. Empty streets and busses were proof how we played by the rules and stayed at home. Many people I spke with didn’t even do this out of concern for their own health. No, we did it for others, the old and those with illnesses. (… until I realized that "old" means 55+ and being overweight is pre-existing health condition). Still, our own possible sickness or even death was as unreal and far away as Covid19 has been – at least here in Berlin.  

It was the sudden thought of Easter without worshipping together, without a joyful family meeting that got to me.  Suddenly this was also about me, about my life. And then again: Never did the words, "He has risen, he has truly risen!” touch me and comfort me like they did this Easter.  No matter how bad it gets – for Jesus’ Disciples a world and all hope had broken down and I only had to cancel a few Bible Dialogues – no matter how bad things got: Jesus did not abandon his disciples; God is still with us – just in a different way, like our gathering is different nowadays. 

Ascension day. Another kind of parting. What did I read on facebook the other day: "Jesus off to do Home Office".  But we can still reach him. And even if we are still reluctant, some of us still prefer to stay home, keeping social contacts limited, and with distance, video chats happen more often now, they are starting to feel more familiar. Maybe these are our first timid steps towards Pentecost, when we may find a language to really communicate again and understand each other. It cannot be the language of hate that we hear so often now at so-called “Hygiene-Demonstrations” demanding an end of the restrictions. It cannot be the language of fear that we can also hear between the protests of angry - and worried - citizens. I hope we will be given a language of love that can open people’s ears for the good message of God.