Thanks Covid-19, I’ll Never Forget My First Lent

Summary

The author reflects on their unique experience of observing Lent for the first time amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, which has profoundly impacted their spirituality and perspective on life.

Abstract

In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, the author decided to observe Lent for the first time, a decision that coincided with the global crisis. This period led to a significant reduction in distractions, as the author abstained from red meat, Facebook, and YouTube, and instead turned to reading the Bible. The social distancing measures imposed by the pandemic created a metaphorical desert-like isolation, prompting introspection and a deeper communication with God. Confronted with the reality of mortality as the death toll from the virus rose, the author grappled with the fragility of life and the desire to protect their young son. The experience intensified their spiritual practice and gratitude for life, making this first Lent a memorable and transformative one.

Opinions

The author believes that the pandemic provided a unique opportunity to practice Lent with fewer distractions, as evidenced by their giving up red meat, Facebook, and YouTube, and replacing them with Bible reading.
They liken the experience of social distancing to Jesus' 40 days in the desert, suggesting that isolation has been beneficial for spiritual reflection and growth.
The author admits to struggling with the concept of mortality due to the pandemic, recognizing the limitations of their ability to protect their son from the virus.
Despite the challenges, the author expresses gratitude for the time spent with their son and the deeper spiritual connection they have developed during this period of Lent.
They acknowledge the potential once-in-a-lifetime nature of this Lenten experience, hoping that such profound insights do not require another crisis to be realized in the future.

Thanks Covid-19, I’ll Never Forget My First Lent

Hell would freeze if I stepped into a church. After many years spent in churches, this hasn’t happened. I know this because Texas is still really hot and Hell freezing would be some relief to my feet. Clearly, I’m not that much of a heathen. However, instead of Hell freezing, a global pandemic forcing everyone to social distance themselves and ultimately stay at home began when I decided to practice Lent for the first time.

Of course, the world doesn’t revolve around me. I just can’t help wanting to personalize this crisis in an attempt to find meaning. I do this by trying to find the light. My light in these dark times has been my spirituality which will never be the same after this pandemic. Here is why:

Less distractions

Every year, Lent creates a Super Bowl for fish sandwiches. You never know who actually wins, but one restaurant always surprises you. Usually, my surprise comes from Long John Silver’s, the prodigal cicada that returns for 40 days and then dies for the rest of the year. Dear Christians, is red meat really such a distraction that Long John Silver’s becomes relevant? I had to know. To find out, I took away my red meat, Facebook and YouTube.

Because of Covid-19, I saw how demanding these two platforms were of my time. For example, my family raised me to take my time during bowel movements. Random, yes. Too much information, maybe. But, if you’re from a family like mine, you’d understand. Thirty minutes to an hour flyby when you’re watching YouTube or scrolling through Facebook. The bathroom is just one example. The apps dominated my time outside of the bathroom as well.

During the pandemic, I probably would have dedicated all of my waking hours to endlessly chasing the rabbit holes created by YouTube and Facebook. Yet, I refrained. Every time I felt the urge to indulge, I remembered why I removed those distractions and was redirected back to God. Instead of wasting time with YouTube and Facebook, I chose to read the Bible. The bible occupied most of bathroom time. Before you judge, I made a huge dent in the New Testament in just the first weeks.

Social distance simulates a desert

The foundations of practicing Lent are derived from Jesus and his forty days spent in the desert. I am definitely in a desert right now. It doesn’t matter if my desert has its temperature controlled by a Nest thermostat and my refrigerator is loaded with frozen pizza. A desert is still a desert even if it feels like Antarctica. Antarctica is a desert, in case you were wondering. The point, metaphorically at least, is the isolation. What do I do when I am all alone? Who am I when I am by myself?

Because of Covid-19, I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to recreate this feeling of being in a desert. For over forty days, I have been forced to live within my head more than ever. I only have three options of immediate social interaction, my wife, son, and dog. My wife can only tolerate me for so long. My son barely speaks English and even if he could, kids under two do not have the greatest attention span. And finally, the dog, who sleeps all day. In reality, it’s just my thoughts which provided a great time to reflect and to talk to God.

Have I talked to God or prayed as much as hoped? Nope, not at all. But, I attribute all of my most productive conversations with God to the isolation that I am experiencing.

Faced with mortality

There is no positive spin to seeing the death toll rise. People are dying and there is nothing I can do to help them. Sadly, as I am writing this, the worse is still yet to come. Judging by the rates in my area, it’s possible that I could know someone that falls to Covid-19. It could be a friend of a friend, neighbor, or even a family member. I am not safe from this virus. Death is literally at my front door which is exactly the mindset needed to begin Lent.

Because of Covid-19, I have expanded my thoughts on mortality. I’ve always tried to prepare my soul for death. Everyday is Ash Wednesday for me until I look at my son. I want his soul and his body to live forever. These feelings have intensified more as I removed us from social gatherings, prevented people from seeing him, and locked the doors to our home to stop an invisible death from reaching my son. I have realized how futile my attempts have been. I cannot fully protect my son’s body and it took a pandemic to realize that.

For my first Lent, I held my son more than ever. I have kissed him until the point in which he uses his baby hands to push me away. Every day I make a deliberate effort to tell him that I love him. Whether it is the first thing in the morning, middle of the day, or right before he falls asleep, I want him to hear me say it. I am truly grateful for his life and I thank God for giving me the time to spend my life with him, even if it’s for a moment.

I don’t know if I’ll ever have a more productive Lent than the one I just experienced. I also hope it doesn’t take a pandemic for me to put things in perspective. Regardless, I’m thankful and I’ll never forget my first Lent.

Thank you for reading!