´óÏó´«Ã½

A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Ruth Wilde, national coordinator of the Inclusive Church

Good morning.

I thought I’d have a look back through my calendar to 2020 – the year of the many lockdowns. On this day, there is a single entry and it says ‘Walk with James’. It seems that we were not allowed to do anything other than a walk with one other person at that time. That alone was welcome relief from the ongoing Covid pandemic loneliness and boredom, not to mention fear for the safety and health of our loved ones.

Two thoughts come to mind when I think of that time. Firstly, I am reminded of how much we all suffered, some so much more than others. We lost friends and family and were unable to say goodbye at funerals and bedsides. We not only lost loved ones though - we lost our health, as so many still have Covid-related illnesses today; we also lost time we could have spent together; and many of us lost our mental wellness, sometimes never to regain it again.

The second thought that comes to me is how we have never truly been helped to deal with that suffering. The outpouring of grief at the Queen’s funeral was a sign of all the pent-up emotion which hasn’t been processed or given space to heal. November is traditionally remembrance tide in the Christian calendar. From All Saints and All Souls through to Remembrance Day, we remember those we have loved and lost and celebrate them. Sorrow is always mixed with joy when we remember our loved ones. Maybe we need not only a Covid memorial to help us grieve, but a Covid party too – not one of those illegal ones people had, but instead a celebration of all the wonderful lives we sadly lost but whose contribution to this country will never be forgotten.

God of all souls, we give thanks to you for all those whose lives have brought us joy.

Amen.