Handwashing: A spiritual practice

Dear Friends in Christ,

 Many of you have already seen the announcement from our Bishop, or have read the article in the Washington Post. And, I am grateful to be reminded that even though services are suspended for at least the next two weeks, to allow for social distancing as a means of slowing the spread of this pandemic, this crisis need not stop us from continuing to practice our faith individually. Our individual prayers can help us remember in an even more vivid and embodied way, that the Risen Christ is indeed among us, especially when we are gathered together in the power of God’s name. 

 With the 20s and 30s in mind, body, and spirit, I have been journeying through a reflection on the Signs of Life in our faith this Lent. And, appropriately enough, it happened that the reflection for this past Sunday focused on water and invited us to use our handwashing as an opportunity to, in their words, “remember that as Baptized Christians, we have gone through the waters of death so that we may have abundant life.” The full video can be found at www.signsoflife.org/water/ . But a wise Episcopalian recently took this a step further. He suggested recently that rather than just singing “Happy Birthday” twice, we could choose a prayer or a spiritual song, for the duration of our handwashing time. It could be the Lord’s Prayer, Amazing Grace, God Bless America, This Little Light of Mine, or something else more personally significant to you in your spiritual life. And, as one of your ministers, I also suggest that this time of social distancing can also be an opportunity to spend quality time in God’s good creation, enjoying the peacefulness and spiritually restorative qualities of nature.

 Wherever this message finds you, I hope and pray that you will find the peace of Christ surrounding you and keeping you. 

Blessings,

John