Learning from History (1) - and 'How the Virus Stole Easter'

We invested a lot of time and energy in the various online services last week. So it's a bit quieter this week - though not a lot! I've found that several of us are doing a bit of a stock-take. What are we learning? What will the future look like, for church and society? Frankly, we have little idea at present. If recent predictions are fulfilled about continuing social distancing and face masks, this will have a profound effect on how we 'church'. Will the common cup at Communion ever return, for example?

We are inclined to forget that 'plagues' have had a very significant impact upon social history for many centuries. Countless millions of lives have been lost to them. For example, 20 million to the influenza pandemic which probably hastened the end of World War 1. 'Plague' is probably too loaded a word to use today, but that is surely what we are experiencing? It's interesting to note some Christian reflections on previous pandemics. Here are just a few:

1. There was a lethal pandemic across the Roman Empire in the middle of the 3rd Century. It is estimated that some 5000 people per day were dying in Rome. Bishop Cyprian of Carthage (c.200-258 AD) wrote: How suitable, how necessary it is that this plague and pestilence, which seems horrible and deadly, ...examines the mind of the human race; whether the [healthy] care for the sick, whether relatives dutifully love kinsmen as they should . . . whether physicians do not desert the afflicted. Christians at the time won a lot of admiration for their fearless caring for the sick and dying, often resulting in their own deaths. As another contemporary bishop (Dionysius of Alexandria) wrote: Many, in nursing and curing others, transferred their death to themselves and died in their stead. That sense of pandemics 'examining the mind of the human race' is certainly a thought to ponder.
2. In the so-called Celtic period in Britain (roughly 600-800AD), plagues were common: sometimes whole villages would be wiped out. St Cuthbert (see my blog, 20th March) became Prior of Melrose Monastery, because the previous prior died from the plague. He himself succumbed, but recovered - walking with a limp for the rest of his life. We read that when he went out on mission, preaching the Gospel, he cared for many plague victims and healed some of them.
3. From the 14th century, in Europe, there were frequent outbreaks of the bubonic plague - known as the Black Death, because the flesh of sufferers turned black. One such outbreak happened in 1527 in Wittenberg, home of Martin Luther, the great church reformer, and his wife Katharina, who was pregnant at the time. Luther wrote, We must respect the word of Christ, “I was sick and you did not visit me.” According to this passage we are bound to each other in such a way that no one may forsake the other in his distress but is obliged to assist and help him as he himself would like to be helped. Writing about his own strategy, he said, I shall ask God mercifully to protect us.Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it.I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed so I don't become contaminated and thus accidentally pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. 
   If God should wish to take me. He will surely find me, and I have done what He has expected of me. What a wonderful combination of faith, pragmatism and social distancing!
4. There was a similar outbreak in London in 1665, from which the city was largely delivered by the Great Fire the following year. Perhaps most remarkable that year was the story of the village of Eyam in Derbyshire, where 80% of the population perished. However, in a wonderful example of 'self-isolation', led by the Vicar, William Mompesson, the villagers decided not to flee so as not to infect others. Mompesson's wife died in the plague, but he himself survived, preaching in the open air Sunday by Sunday until it was over.
5. In 1854, there was a terrible outbreak of cholera in London - by then probably the wealthiest and most powerful city in the world. A youthful Charles Spurgeon, later to become a well-known Christian preacher and writer, reflected thus: 
   If there ever be a time when the mind is sensitive, it is when death is abroad. I recollect, when first I came to London, how anxiously people listened to the gospel, for the cholera was raging terribly. There was little scoffing then. Like other Christian leaders before him, he recognised a pandemic as a time when people are more receptive to the Christian Gospel because it faces the reality of death head-on.

In summary, what may the reflections and experiences of those who have gone before us teach us as we think about church and society in the future? I will return to this later.

Meanwhile, here is a poem from South Africa, which picks up the theme I mentioned two days ago: comparing empty churches with the Empty Tomb.

HOW THE VIRUS STOLE EASTER By Kristi Bothur with a nod to Dr Seuss!

Twas late in ‘19 when the virus began Bringing chaos and fear to all people, each land. People were sick, hospitals full, Doctors overwhelmed, no one in school. As winter gave way to the promise of spring, The virus raged on, touching peasant and king. People hid in their homes from the enemy unseen. They YouTubed and Zoomed, social-distanced, and cleaned. April approached and churches were closed. “There won’t be an Easter,” the world supposed. “There won’t be church services, and egg hunts are out. No reason for new dresses when we can’t go about.” Holy Week started, as bleak as the rest. The world was focused on masks and on tests. “Easter can’t happen this year,” it proclaimed. “Online and at home, it just won’t be the same.” Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the days came and went. The virus pressed on; it just would not relent. The world woke Sunday and nothing had changed. The virus still menaced, the people, estranged. “Pooh pooh to the saints,” the world was grumbling. “They’re finding out now that no Easter is coming. “They’re just waking up! We know just what they’ll do! Their mouths will hang open a minute or two, And then all the saints will all cry boo-hoo. “That noise,” said the world, “will be something to hear.” So it paused and the world put a hand to its ear. And it did hear a sound coming through all the skies. It started down low, then it started to rise. But the sound wasn’t depressed. Why, this sound was triumphant! It couldn’t be so! But it grew with abundance! The world stared around, popping its eyes. Then it shook! What it saw was a shocking surprise! Every saint in every nation, the tall and the small, Was celebrating Jesus in spite of it all! It hadn’t stopped Easter from coming! It came! Somehow or other, it came just the same! And the world with its life quite stuck in quarantine Stood puzzling and puzzling. “Just how can it be?” “It came without bonnets, it came without bunnies, It came without egg hunts, cantatas, or money.” Then the world thought of something it hadn’t before. “Maybe Easter,” it thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Easter, perhaps, means a little bit more.” And what happened then? Well....the story’s not done. What will YOU do? Will you share with that one Or two or more people needing hope in this night? Will you share the source of your life in this fight? The churches are empty - but so is the tomb, And Jesus is victor over death, doom, and gloom. So this year at Easter, let this be our prayer, As the virus still rages all around, everywhere. May the world see hope when it looks at God’s people. May the world see the church is not a building or steeple. May the world find Faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection, May the world find Joy in a time of dejection. May 2020 be known as the year of survival, But not only that - Let it start a revival.