The Surgeon General has said, “This is going to be the hardest and the saddest week of most Americans' lives.” President Trump said, “We’re going to go through a very rough two weeks.” This coronavirus pandemic has got Americans thinking and talking about death like never before. Coincidentally – or providentially – this is also Holy Week, the hardest and saddest week of the gospel narrative – the week that recalls the events leading up to the death of Jesus.
In my Devotion for a Pandemic today, I explore the role that meditation upon death has played in spirituality - in both Christian and other faith traditions. This is an unprecedented opportunity for us to ponder the nature of death, our human nature, and in what sense – if any – we can be said to survive death.