I don’t know about you but I have gone through several phases during the past year. As we mark the one year anniversary of the Covid shutdown, I find myself reflecting on the experience. Initially there was shock at the severity of the virus and the structural shutdown. Then there was getting accustomed to a whole new set of behaviors and anxiety concerning the uncertainty of how the disease could be spread. This gave way to a very contemplative period when we all became monks in our homes, some of us struggling with shut down and some of us embracing it as a break.
Next was the feeling that this whole thing was unprecedented, and we all developed a deep sense of gratitude for people and industries that were, and are, on the front lines of providing essentials, healing and compassion. We were confronted and presented with challenges of grief and denial of significant rituals such as weddings, funerals, graduations, Passion Play, Mass (as we knew them), hugs, gatherings and simple human connections.
This was followed by the realization that it wasn’t all that unprecedented because humanity had experienced several pandemic-level tragedies before. Then we began to reopen, re-gather in limited ways accompanied by a brief period of seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Then there was a resurgence, a new wave of impact bringing a new wave of anxiety rooted in an uncertain future.
In general we, as pretty privileged Americans who don’t place too many restrictions on what we can and can’t do, realized that we all had restrictions, and personally I felt disappointment that more of us didn’t accept some simple restrictions for the good and health of all. Perhaps this behavior underscores just how individualistic we are sometimes.
Now we are embracing hope that we have not had in a year. Vaccinations are being distributed, concerning medical numbers are declining, good numbers are rising, and some restrictions are being lifted.
Thank God, through all of these phases and ones that I haven’t even identified, people pointed out blessings that we simply would not have if not for the severity and encompassing nature of this very challenging period. At some time or another, because we haven’t been able to do certain things, we have come to appreciate them more and realize that we might have taken them for granted; things such as being in each other’s presence live, the tenderness and warmth of a hug, more time with family, too much time with family, going to the movies, having regular gatherings such as sporting events, and not having to wear a mask.
We have been forced to learn to adapt, be present to each other virtually, and that the best of the human spirit is resilience, creativity, ingenuity, unity and adaptation.
I believe that all three of the readings we will hear at Mass this weekend apply to what we have experienced this past year.
In the first reading from Jeremiah the great statement of covenant is proclaimed. God promises his fidelity to the people then, and to us now. Many times we have heard, both at Holy Family and throughout the culture of this pandemic, the proclamation that ‘we are in this together.’ That is what God said to all of humanity those many years ago, to the people on a journey struggling in the desert…“I will be your God and you will be my people.”
In the Gospel according to John Jesus says, “Unless the grain of wheat falls and dies it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies it produces much fruit.” A lot has fallen in the pandemic, and a lot has died. But as the human spirit has been tested during this challenging time, we have begun to produce fruit, perhaps the most important being with God and each other, we are stronger than we think.
Then in Paul’s letter to the Hebrews we hear that Jesus learned from suffering. What have we learned from the suffering of the past year? Perhaps that is the best question and its answer will help us to produce even more fruit, to both realize and trust that we are in this thing called life with God.
I would like to challenge us all to see the suffering that we have been through as educative. The Jesuit question is, “What is God saying to us in this?”
Let’s make what we have been through educative suffering.