This has been an unusual Holy Week for Christians.  Instead of special services, anticipating and then celebrating the resurrection, we are sheltering in place and worshipping together over the internet.  This year, as I thought about the Last Supper, I thought more about Passover than I did in past years.  Part of this is its connection to freedom from bondage, because I’m ready to be free from the bondage of COVID-19.  Another part is that the current epidemic reminds me of the plagues visited on Egypt before the exodus.  This morning I had a more explicit reminder.

When I got up this morning (today is Good Friday) and turned on the light in the bathroom, I jumped when I saw a frog on the wall right next to the switch.  Well, when I jumped, he jumped also.  This reminded me of Passover, because an invasion of frogs was the second plague visited on Egypt.  Our house has an open floor plan, and the dining room, kitchen, living room, sunroom and foyer join together to form one big open area.  This middle-aged (if I live to 152) man with one artificial knee and one worse unrepaired knee chased that frog all over those rooms.  My first strategy was to try and herd him out the front door, but he had other plans.  He seemed to jump in random directions; well, maybe it wasn’t random, since he never jumped in the direction I wanted him to go.  It was worse than herding cats. Finally, I had to take a break; he took one too.  After the break I got a small cardboard box and put it down getting ready to try and trap him under it.  You know what?  He hopped into the box; I closed the lid and carried him outside.  The plague was over.  I wish the corona virus was so easy to conquer.

I’m glad that this year Passover and Easter coincide.  Passover helps us to keep in mind that God brought his people out of bondage and can free us from other forms of bondage.  It also reminds us of the Last Supper and the sacrament of Communion.  Easter shows that God can remove us from the ultimate bondage, that of death.  Both help us remember that God’s love for YOU and me is unconditional.

Jim