TODAY and on Sunday in Malaysia and across the globe, Christians remember sacred moments in human history.
And two weeks from now, their Muslim friends will begin the Ramadan fast.
Thus do the wheels of faith turn, even if the flow of life stops.
Billions will do their hearts’ bidding, come despair or depression.
Economic loss, wars, earthquakes and pestilence. These, or their lesser ambassadors, will come. But for the person of faith, the following words will remain true: “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”
Churches remember these words today. So do Christians worldwide. Millions will attend ‘services’, but the beautiful buildings and vast halls will remain empty.
One such church is Kajang Assembly of God (KAOG).
But one may ask, in this time of dread, why is the church holding services? Why not let everyone pray on their own at home?
I speak to Reverend Calvin Lee, the senior pastor of the church.
“We are sad that we will not be able to gather in church.
“These two holy days have always been observed by coming together as a community. It is very uplifting to be with each other to remember Jesus' crucifixion, death and resurrection.
“But we also see this as a God-given opportunity to make this year's observance a more family-oriented one. We will stream our Good Friday and Easter services online so that our members will get to observe these two holy days in their homes with their own families.”
He emphasises that there will be no assembly of people whatsoever in keeping with the Movement Control Order, which has now been extended to April 28.
“The streaming is done from the homes of the pastor and members. So there is no breaching of the safe distancing requirement.”
KAOG’s faithfulness to belief is mirrored in strength by a commitment to the community. It has given much in the past without fanfare, and this it continues to do.
More than a week ago, the church raised more than RM35,000 from its members to buy supplies for the police and frontline staff at Kajang Hospital. These included face masks, sanitisers, mineral water and biscuits.
Covid-19 may have crippled and corralled us in many ways. But people of faith, and Malaysia has many of them, have a special strength. And this you know to be true on sacred days like these.