Thursday 23 April 2020

The first day of Ramadan.


Steps walked: 14960.
Furthest point travelled: 3 miles. Funeral at Enfield Crematorium.
Face to face non-household interactions: Over a dozen, what with one thing and the other.
Track of the day: ‘When You’re Smiling’ – Louis Armstrong.

            At half-seven, I’ll be popping back to the hospital to pray with some of the staff about to start their shift. If they want a few words (and time permits), I’ll say something a bit like this:
Today Muslims begin their season of fasting, Ramadan. A couple of weeks ago, Christians finished their season of fasting, the season of Lent.
It seems to me that fasting, rather like lighting a candle, is one of those things which is valued by people of many different faiths and of none.
You are people who have been fasting for several weeks now; you have been giving things up, you have been making great sacrifices. If I wasn’t with you now, I’d been giving the church bell a lusty ring at eight o’clock to share in expressing the thanks of so many for the sacrifices you have made and are making.
When people choose to fast, they usually do it because they believe that it can help to change them for the better.
My prayer for you tonight is that in the fullness of time, through your season of fasting, your season of exceptional sacrifice, out of all of this, you might come to find growth and some renewal of body, mind and spirit.

            There has definitely been a marked jump in the number of people I’ve seen wearing face masks today. Looks like the next thing to be going into isolation is our smiles.

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