If you have a fear-hangover from COVID, perhaps Easter is the season in which you should make a conscious choice to drop it.
Working together, our best intentions can yield some astoundingly damaging results. That, in so many ways, defines the past year. With largely good intentions, weâve managed to significantly dent the worldâs economy, infringe on personal liberties, isolate the elderly and marginalized⌠and still COVID marches on.
Itâs been rotten for the body religious, which was already hurting. Here in America, we reached a grim milestone in 2021: fewer than half of Americans consider themselves to be members of a church, synagogue, or mosque. Thatâs shocking for the nation widely considered to be the most religious in the western world.
I learned this week that St. Thomasâ Episcopal Church in Rochesterwill remain shuttered for the second Easter in a row. As I wrote about galleries last week, I doubt that many institutions will survive two years of closure.
In summer, 1999, I was asked to do a set of Stations of the Cross for St. Thomasâ. By that September Iâd been diagnosed with colon cancer. I had four kids, ages 11 to 3. My primary goal was to stay alive long enough to see them raised.
Finishing an art project seemed frivolous, and darned near impossible. I was especially disinterested in one that dealt with the violence leading up to the crucifixion. The following year was a late Easter, so by the time Holy Week arrived, I had a rough version finished.
I drew in my hospital bed, from my couch, during chemotherapy. I wasnât at all engaged or enthused. When I was well enough, I arranged a massive photoshoot and took reference photos. The final drawings were finished two years later. They werenât my best work, but at least they were done.
And yet, theyâve been in use for two decades. Every Holy Week, I got notes from a parishioner telling me how much they appreciated them. Iâve certainly gotten more meaningful mail about them than any other work of art Iâve ever done.
Except last year. Last Easter, the churches of America were closed. Their people observed the rites from afar. That was appropriate then, but weâve lived out our penance for a year now. Itâs almost unbelievable that the faithful among us donât see the urgent necessity of gathering together to celebrate the risen Lord, this year of all years.
But thatâs getting ahead of ourselves. Today is Good Friday. It commemorates Jesus taking the punishment intended for all mankindâs sin onto his own, all-too-human, body. It culminates in death and hopelessness. Thatâs what the Stations of the Cross are about, whether theyâre in the Catholic, Episcopal or any other tradition.
Are you still afraid to go to church on Sunday? Itâs hard to reconcile that with the promise of eternal life that Easter represents.
Iâve traveled as much this year as any year. Iâve taken sensible precautions, including at least a dozen COVID tests, all of which were negative. Although I have the same fears and griefs as anyone else, thereâs a part of me thatâs simply not afraid. I respect death; heaven knows Iâve seen enough of it. I have lost people I love to COVID. But I choose life.
Fear is a prison, a mighty weight, and the brake that stops all forward motion. If youâve been left with a fear-hangover from COVID, perhaps Easter is the season in which you should make a conscious choice to drop it.
The Stations can be walked virtually here: