It’s always weird thinking of Easter in the middle of Holy Week, but here goes. The Lectionary link is here. Here’s John 20:17… “Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'”” ‘Noli me tangere’ (don’t touch me’) is not as good a translation as what we read above, ‘Do not hold on to me’, but in one form or another, these words Jesus said to Mary Magdalene have triggered loads of artistic responses. In the joyful story of resurrection, there is also loss, separation. “Do not hold on to me” – anyone who has loved someone else will recognise the pain of separation.
We can Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, text, phone, send letters to those we love, but “do not hold on to me” – not for as long as the pandemic lasts.
God of all loving,
on the joyful day of resurrection,
we remember also all those people,
who cannot cling to
or hug, or kiss, or shake the hand of
the ones they love,
because of the virus,
or for whatever reason.
May they know, even in their pain,
that they love truly
and are loved still.
May the love of the living Jesus Christ
be with us all.
Living God,
we pray for bus drivers,
at risk of infection,
in need of protection.
We pray that they will be able to go about their work safely.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.