Spring Lament

I was cycling outside yesterday, February 22nd.  The afternoon ride took me across the Lions Gate Bridge and around Stanley Park. As I rounded the curve near the 9 o’clock gun I caught a sense, an unmistakable smell of spring. It was beautiful.
This year, though, it carried with it a reminder of sorrow and loss.
The emergence of spring and summer this year will be unlike any we have ever felt in our lifetime. Last year, as February turned into March, we were entering the pandemic. Somehow after a year, this spring, we are beginning to emerge from the pandemic.
In the evening I saw a news story in which President Biden and Vice President Harris in the United States marked the solemn occasion of the United States passing 500,000 COVID deaths. For perspective, that’s more Americans than died in World War I, World War II and the Vietnam War combined. For perspective, the North Shore of Vancouver, the three municipalities of North Vancouver City and District and West Vancouver, have a combined population of less than 200,000.

Lent is a season of knowing our limits, our mortality, our frailty and our sin. Lent is a season of considering that Jesus took on the grief of the world. So I pray,
“What does it mean that You took on the grief of each of us? What does it mean that You took on the grief of all us? I have been carrying the grief of losing my father to suicide. Have You taken on that grief? I know full well that You have. I am broken in grief that You are set towards the cross, but I am given life in this as well. I am not alone. None of us are alone.”

Give me eyes to see. Bless me with the painful gift of lament. As You told us;
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

Amen