“What Can You Do Once You’re Vaccinated?” (nytimes.com)
Out there, beyond Easter, is a journey through the looking glass. It’s always been that way, even before Covid-19 restrictions, politics, science, grief, and prayers. Out there beyond Easter, we have to apply what we’ve learned about ourselves, our communities, communal medical health, citizenship, faith, and following Jesus.
The Regional Youth Council’s Lent devotional suggested that Lent is a daily journey. And like Lent, those who claim to be an “Easter people” are involved in a daily journey. We can try to categorize, reference, and program our way into the already, but not yet, empire of God, but the Holy One isn’t easily tamed, named, or claimed. The divine spark in you knows the whisper of God and what the Holy requires. There is a lot of noise to silence. It is a daily journey filled with lows, highs, and the mundane.
Sometimes Christians think of Jesus as a kind of vaccine for the human condition. Traditions and rituals during Christmas and Easter can be a booster shot for a weak spiritual immune system.
In one of my favorite scenes in the movie, “Jesus Christ Superstar,” the crowd sings:
Christ, you know I love you
Did you see, I waved
I believe in you and God
So tell me that I’m saved
Jesus, I am with you
Touch me, touch me Jesus
Jesus, I am on your side
Kiss me, kiss me Jesus(1)
How is your spiritual immune system these days?
This summer at camp, we will mix the same ingredients we have for years: play, prayer, study, worship, and service. Will it be different? Yes. It always is a bit different because we are not turning out industrialized, mass-produced Christians. That’s not the intent. Physical distance, masks, and the small groups will probably make camp feel different, but “camp will be camp.” Why? Because I trust the ingredients. I trust God. I trust the spiritual immune systems of directors, counselors, and the campers who will create the sacred space we call summer camp.
Following Jesus . . . it’s a daily journey. It is making choices about what I/we/you can do (should do) once vaccinated.
1. Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice, “Simon Zealotes from Jesus Christ Superstar” (1973) Universal Pictures Film Music.
