View From a Prairie Home

by Hege Hernfindahl, Columnist

Once again, the year turns towards Easter. The six weeks of Lent are behind us. In Norwegian, the word for Lent is Faste, meaning, of course, fast. So, to get ready for the Passion of Jesus, many of us fast, or these days, many of us give up something for Lent. Candy. Meat. Watching movies. Dancing. I can’t think of anything to give up. One of my students told me once, she gave up kissing her boyfriend for Lent. I couldn’t give up kissing my boyfriend-husband of 50 years. Or playing games on my I-pad to avoid falling asleep at 8 PM with a book in my lap. Or watching movies for the same reason. So, I always try to be kind and not so selfish. I don’t even know if it works. But I think the point of Lent is to contemplate the self-less journey of God-made-man as He knows He will suffer humiliation, rejection and the most painful of deaths. Taking on our sins and rising in glory so that all who believe will be saved, even though, as humans, we are all sinners.

Which is emphasized by all the hatred in speech and action that I read about every day of the year. Where did all this hatred come from? Why do Jews have to hate Palestinians and vice versa? Why all the bombs? Why all the murder of innocents? Why does Putin need to take Ukraine? Why do we need to hate people who are not like us? Who don’t think like us? Who are different in customs, sexual orientation, age, skin color or political views? We are all humans. We are different, that is true. But different is good. Imagine if we all looked alike like some spooky robots?  Or thought alike? Or had the same talents? Diversity is good. I love learning about people and their histories. I am so grateful for all the talents other people have. Or their different personalities. And we also have so much in common. We all suffer. We all feel joy. We all want our dear ones to be safe.

Sometimes, I get so distraught by all the hate-speech. By the plight of refugees and victims of war, that I turn off the radio and put the newspaper down. I go outside. I try to be very grateful that I can just leave my house and be in nature. It heals me.

Another thing that heals me is music. I am so lucky to be singing in a church choir. And, as I write this (which I should have written last week. I sometimes get confused because I have to write a week before my articles are published.) Last Sunday, people of all backgrounds and from seven different churches were participating in a community worship service called. “A Journey Through Holy Week.” The readings from Mark were from Jesus’ journey from when he was hailed as the Savoir on Palm Sunday through his crucifixion and death to his rising from the dead on Easter. Each day was illustrated by a song either by the community choir or the congregation or both. There were also various musicians from the community who shared their talents. Della Conroy, our local talented painter and pianist, had painted a painting of each of the days of Holy Week. The paintings were displayed for the congregation to ponder.

One of the songs the choir was singing is called “Family of Faith.” It is a beautiful song that so aptly describes how we all are different, but stand united as people of faith. I interpret it as a hopeful song. That we again, despite our differences, will stand shoulder to shoulder to combat hatred and prejudice. Inspired by our Savior, who called us to love and forgive, we will again be a world of compassion and love.

Again, this may have happened last Sunday, but the weather forecast was iffy, so maybe this event was postponed. If so, it will be this Wednesday at 7 PM to Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church. It is free. Celebrate the story of Jesus’ passion with all of us. And leave with love and peace in your heart.