As we reflect on ‘grief’ and loss of pandemic five years since the UK’s first lockdown, Lent comforts us to look unto Jesus for a restoring future and eternal life. Five year since “stay at home,” we are still in hard times but Lent encourages us to remain faithful in other to see Jesus. As we mourn over those who have died, using the words of the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Lent invites us to pray and ask God to ‘lead us into the hope of the risen Christ and the eternal life He promises.’

The present global challenges also reminds us that ‘faith does not inoculate our own capacity from evil’ and sin especially in an age ‘religious faith has been exploited as rationale to countless evils’ and immoralities.

In the words of St Augustine, evil works and gets its energy from the goodness it perverts. No nation, church, or a person can cling to worldly things and still make God their top priority. To see Jesus like the ‘certain Greeks’ calls for change and self denial. As followers of Jesus, Lent calls us to deny ourselves any pleasures that stand in the path of glorifying and obeying God as a nation, a church and a person.

Let us prayerful sing the hymn by William Walsham ‘For all the Saints, who from their labour rest’ in remembering those that died during the pandemic and mass shootings in America:

1 For all the saints, who from their labours rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy name, O Jesus, be forever bless’d.
Alleluia, alleluia!

2 Thou wast their rock, their refuge, and their might,
thou, Christ, the hope that put their fears to flight;
’mid gloom and doubt, their true and shining light.
Alleluia, alleluia!

3 Oh, bless’d communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine,
yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia, alleluia!

4 The golden evening brightens in the west.
Soon, soon to faithful servants cometh rest.
Sweet is the calm of paradise the bless’d.
Alleluia, alleluia!

5 But lo! There breaks a yet more glorious day;
the saints triumphant rise in bright array,
as God to glory calls them all away.
Alleluia, alleluia!

6 From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
all praising Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Alleluia, alleluia!