watercress words by Dr Aletha

exploring the HEART of health by understanding COVID-19

Thanks for reviewing this outline of this new disease that we are all learning about and that has changed our lives so drastically. I appreciate the CDC and other sources for making these easy to understand graphics available.

COVID-19 is a new, serious, contagious health risk that concerns the medical community as well as government, schools, business, religious groups, charities, and private citizens. These communities have banded together quickly to develop plans to manage this threat effectively.

Just like other challenges we face, it can be daunting and sometimes scary; but sometimes that’s when we accomplish the greatest good in the long run.

At times you may feel stressed, anxious, have trouble sleeping, or feel afraid. Seek the support of family, friends, clergy, and health professionals.

And if you find your anxiety becoming overwhelming, don’t hesitate to contact someone you trust for help. No one of us has to go through alone.

Dr. Aletha

2 bandaids crossed on a world globe — photo from the Lightstock collection (affiliate link)

Palm Sunday is one of several “holidays”, or more correctly holy days that Christians “celebrate”, or observe, in the weeks before Easter called Lent. Palm Sunday comes from an event recorded in the Bible books of Mark, Luke, and John.

The prophet Zechariah had said

“Announce to the people
of Jerusalem:
‘Your king is coming to you!
He is humble
and rides on a donkey.
He comes on the colt
of a donkey.’ ”

image from the LIGHTSTOCK.COM collection, an affiliate link

The disciples left and did what Jesus had told them to do. They brought the donkey and its colt and laid some clothes on their backs. Then Jesus got on.

The next day a large crowd was in Jerusalem for Passover. When they heard that Jesus was coming for the festival, they took palm branches and went out to greet him. They shouted,

Hooray for the Son of David!
God bless the one who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Hooray for God
in heaven above!”

(Mark 11.1-11; Luke 19.28-38; John 12.12-19)

Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)

Lent starts with the well known Fat Tuesday-Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday.

Holy Week starts with Palm Sunday, related in the story above.

At my church on Palm Sunday, the preschool age children march into the auditorium waving palm branches and sing a song for us. The parents and grandparents sit up front, proudly taking pictures and video. Then there is a carnival and of course hunting for Easter eggs.

It’s a day to celebrate before we observe the solemn days of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Another Palm day in the Bible

It may not be on a Sunday, but I recently discovered another time when palm branches are used to honor Jesus. But unlike the first Palm Sunday, it celebrates a much happier occasion. It’s in the book of Revelation written by the Apostle John who was in exile on a deserted island.

“After this, I saw a large crowd with more people than could be counted.

They were from every race, tribe, nation, and language, and they stood before the throne and before the Lamb. They wore white robes and held palm branches in their hands, as they shouted,

Our God, who sits upon the throne,

has the power to save his people,

    and so does the Lamb.

Amen! Praise, glory, wisdom,

    thanks, honor, power and strength belong to our God

    forever and ever! Amen!”
Revelation 7:9-12, CEV

Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)

sharing faith, hope, and love

FAITH LOVE HOPE- words created with letter tiles — These three remain, faith, hope and love, and greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

The first Palm day was a prelude to unexpected pain and suffering. Most of us did not anticipate the pain and suffering the COVID-19 pandemic would cause.

But the Bible describes the second Palm day as a celebration because their pain and suffering was over. And I believe some day we will look back on these difficult days and celebrate health and wholeness again.