Expressions of Faith in the Face of COVID-19

Abstract

The suspension of religious gatherings, as a measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus, was received with mixed feelings. While some worshippers complied with government directives and reached their congregations online, others argued that this was precisely the occasion to offer prayers and supplications to the God who is refuge in times of a plague such as COVID-19. Yet faith must be distinguished from its expressions. This essay discusses the multiple expressions of faith highlighted by the phenomenon of closure of places of worship. The pandemic brought to the fore the need to emphasize the faith expressed in actions of love, justice, peace, equity and fairness.