Three Faiths, One Pandemic

So did you hear the one about the minister, the rabbi, and the imam who went online during their high and holy days? That's actually what is unfolding for leaders and the faithful in all three of the monotheistic religions as they approach significant holidays, 

For Christians this is Holy Week, the most solemn time in our religious calendar. Tomorrow is the beginning of Pesach, the Passover, in Judaism. Next week marks the beginning of Ramadan for Muslims, the extended period of fasting. Seders with extended family won't be held in many Jewish households, and congregations following the liturgical calendar have already cancelled Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services. As a Bloomberg article notes:

St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City will be empty. The pope’s traditional Easter address will be live-streamed -- and no doubt the virus will be a central theme. Italy’s death count from Covid-19, at more than 15,000, is the world’s highest.

The holy Muslim cities of Mecca and Medina are closed to pilgrimages. So are pilgrim destinations like Najaf and Karbala in Iraq, which attract many visitors from neighboring Iran, hard hit by the virus.

Most mosques, synagogues and churches are and will be closed to the public during the holidays, though services and sermons will go on in empty rooms streamed to congregants local and beyond.

Let's be honest, this is disorienting and disheartening for many of us, regardless of how we approach God and perceive God's presence with us. This is a first for even the oldest of us. While each religion figures out how to observe these important days for themselves, we can also be mindful that we share a common challenge and pray for one another.