Several years ago, I heard a beautiful story about Helen Keller.  The great Christian singer Bill Mann had given an Easter concert.  When he returned to his dressing room, he found Helen Keller and her interpreter waiting for him.  Ms. Keller asked Mr. Mann to sing for her.  Because she was deaf, blind, and mute, she placed her fingertips gently on Mr. Mann’s lips and throat in order to “hear” him.  He sang Were You There When They Crucified my Lord.

At the end of the song, a tear trickled down Helen Keller’s cheek.  Through her interpreter, she told Mr. Mann, “I was there!”

Many of us are heartbroken that we will not be able to experience Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday services at our home church because of the social distancing measures in place during the covid-19 pandemic.  We will miss the music, the message, and sharing our experience with friends and loved ones during these beautiful church services.

It occurred to me that this social distancing experience may help us identify more closely with the interactions relayed in the story of Bill Mann and Helen Keller.  This remarkable woman lived her life with only two of her five senses.  Touch and smell were all that remained after scarlet fever robbed her of being able to see, hear, and speak.

Because of social distancing, we will not be able to use our senses of touch and smell this Holy Week.  Most of us will, however, be able to see our church services online.  We will be able to hear the music.  We will be able to sing along.  And after the celebration of our Risen Lord is over on Easter Sunday, I pray that each of us will be able to join Helen Keller and announce to the world, “I was there!”

May God comfort, bless, and keep each of you safe and healthy.  And may each of us remember the Glory and the story of the Cross of Jesus during this most Holy of Weeks.

^” It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.  Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When He had said this, He breathed His last.”  (Luke 23:44-46)

I was unable to find a video of Bill Mann singing Were You There When They Crucified my Lord.  If you would like, however, you can link to Johnny Cash’s version here:  Were You There When They Crucified My Lord