Lenten Reflection: 26
Jesus, Wonderful Doctor and Life Giver
“I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:14)
I keep asking myself these days: What is life like for doctors, nurses, and other medical staff on the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak? Doctors and nurses have worked to save the lives of those who have fallen ill with the Coronavirus and work long hours with few supplies and grueling conditions that have left them emotionally and physically exhausted: "I am physically tired because the protective devices are bad, the lab coat makes me sweat, and once dressed, I can no longer go to the bathroom or drink for six hours." (Alessia Bonari, an Italian nurse in Milan) “My frustration is that I have never felt like my safety is important. When I’m going to work, I could endanger me and my family and I feel like my institution doesn’t even care at all.” (Business Insider)
 
Luke calls Jesus the one who leads to life, introduces us to the art of living and teaches us what life means. (Luke 15:8) And Jesus shows us how to live by going before us on our way by laying his life for us, by opening our eyes to authentic life, and inviting us to serve our friends. “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline… join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life.” (Timothy 1:7-9) 
 
Jesus urges us to dare to live our own lives like doctors, nurses, and medical staff on the front line of the Coronavirus pandemic. Jesus like doctors and nurses steps into the most devastating situations and heals us. Jesus is like them allowing himself to be “polluted” by the uncleanness and messiness because a patient’s need for healing is more important than his to remain untouched and clean. Jesus like them affirms the dignity of our broken bodies and spirits. “I am psychologically tired, as are all my colleagues who have been in the same condition for weeks, but this will not prevent us from doing our job as we have always done. I will continue to take care of my patients because I am proud and in love with my job.” (Alessia Bonari, Tuscany, Italy) 
 
Thanks be to the nurses, doctors and medical staff and the ways in which they show us more fully the work of our Savior and Lord. You are heroes daily anyway, but you deserve an extra dose of appreciation from us today! 
 
Reflection: 
Please send me the names of those who are working at the hospitals so that we as a congregation can pray for them daily and thank them with cards. (Your sons and daughters, relatives, friends who are doctors, nurses, and medical staff, with addresses.) Let us pray for them daily.
 
"Gracious God, who heals, we pray for all medical professionals dealing daily with the intense pressures of this crisis. Grant them resilience in weariness, discernment in diagnosis, and compassion upon compassion. We thank you for the army of researchers working steadily and quietly towards a cure, give them clarity, serendipity and unexpected breakthrough today. Remove this present darkness with your healing rays. In the name of a wonderful doctor and life giver, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen."   (Pete Greig)
Pastor Seok-Hwan
A Daily Prayer  during this COVID-19 crisis from the New England Conference ( http://neumc-email.brtapp.com/viewemail/2545842 )


 Schedule of services subject to change depending on restrictions and safety due to the coronavirus.

Palm Sunday Service: April 5 at 9:30 AM
Holy Thursday Service: April 9 at 7:30 PM
Good Friday Service: April 10 at 7:30 PM

Easter Sunday Services: April 12
7:00 AM (Sunrise Service), 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM