“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
-Luke 2:49
March 10, 2022
Home Alone
In March 2020, the Corona-19 Pandemic forced us to quarantine. I expected that we would isolate ourselves for six months. I was grateful for teleworking. My “honey-do” list included cleaning my house, reading my untouched book collection, and paying off my credit cards. As we enter our third year of quarantine, I’ve grown weary of Zoom church and streaming funerals. I long for the “normal” of holiday dinners with extended family, eating out with friends, and, especially, teaching my Church School class. I was absolutely delirious to receive the vaccine and the booster. Just when I decided that I was ready to resume going to movies, theaters, and restaurants, the Delta and the Omicron variants appeared! Once again, I’m home alone.
In the gospel of Luke 2, Jesus finds himself left alone in the Temple in Jerusalem. He tells his frantic parents, upon finding him, that he “had” to be in His Father’s house. In the KJV translation, Jesus says that he “must” be about his Father’s business. I have wondered, am I where I “have” to be? Am I doing what I “must” be doing? During this period of self-reflection, is my purpose reduced to a clean house and a balanced budget? Have I mistaken my thriving for surviving? Whether I emerge from the quarantine better or bitter, whatever happens, I must accept that it’s God’s will for me.
Prayer
Holy Father, please allow my home alone time to become a better conduit of your will. Amen.
Stewardess Eugenia Jacobs
Church School
Lent 2022
We invite you to join us on a 40-day journey of prayer, financial sacrifice, physical activity, and spiritual connection.
Each day a new reflection with a scripture and prayer will be posted on the Metropolitan AME Church website and social media to encourage you as we prepare for Resurrection join us as we are reminded, awakened to the great power of God within us, and connect to our role in building with God a world of justice.
Read along with us each day or download the book to read and write along with us offline.