When Tuesday is Like Sunday
When Tuesday is Like Sunday —
Not the “great getting up in the morning,”... “Oh, Lord,”... foot tapping,
hand clapping kind of Sunday like in my father’s Baptist Church. No.
When Tuesday is like Sunday —
Confusion clouds the most routine
the world is out of order and chaos reigns the day.
When Tuesday is like Sunday —
There is no rush hour. People drive slow in the morning as if it is a Sunday
afternoon and they are out for a leisure ride. I drive on five different
freeways from San Leandro to Martinez never having to slow for traffic.
When Tuesday is like Sunday —
The money-changers and tax collectors close their shops;
Many government centers are closed, and schools and stores shut their
doors as if it is the Sabbath.
When Tuesday is like Sunday —
Words are brief. Every conversation is hushed and ends with a benediction
to “take care,” “be careful,” or “stay safe.”
When Tuesday is like Sunday —
Long distance calls are made to family and friends everywhere, but not
because “the rates are cheaper today.”
When Tuesday is like Sunday —
The nation is in prayer regardless of denominations. National leaders and
political figures are praying everywhere (even on television) and it is okay. It
can’t be a weekday, must not be a school day, and certainly not a day of
government assembly because prayer would not be allowed — so this
Tuesday must be Sunday.
When Tuesday is like Sunday —
It is not the Super Bowl that has people preoccupied and staying home.
In fact,
When Tuesday is like Sunday, the Pastor does not have to worry about
losing his audience at game time. All the football games and other sporting
events have been canceled.
When Tuesday is like Sunday —
Strangers among the congregation of humanity hug each other in the
streets, in the hallways, in parking lots.
When Tuesday is like Sunday —
Time stands still, moves slow and fast forward all at the same time.
Time is marked by watching, waiting, and wondering. Watching for loved
ones, waiting for phone calls, wondering why and what’s next?
I wrote this piece following September 11, 2001. As the nation now
prepares for “what’s next,” let us pray as if it is Sunday, Friday, or even
Tuesday. Pray for peace, unity, and for wisdom for the leaders, be they in
city hall or the nation’s Capitol. As I said earlier, some years are just easier
to write about.
Surlene Grant (Council Member in San Leandro, 1998-2008)
Posted with permission of the author.