Remember Pandemic Lessons

More and more parishioners have now been fully vaccinated against the Corona Virus. And an even greater number have already received their first dose of vaccine. This is good news indeed.

With full vaccination comes a new sense of hope. After two years of social isolation, masks, closed stores and empty schools, we can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. You can sense a lightness in people. Everyone is ready to get back to normal routines.

These positive signs are a blessing. But it’s important that we don’t forget the many important lessons learned during the days and months of the pandemic. We emerge from the pandemic with a better sense of ourselves, a better sense of our strengths and our weaknesses. And many of us have clarified, perhaps for the first time, our personal goals and values. For example ….

During the various lockdowns and quarantines, many Catholics rediscovered their relationship with Jesus and with the Church. They found time to study the teachings of the Catholic Church, and developed an ongoing prayer relationship with the Lord. To use traditional religious language, they were “born again”.

Pandemic restrictions created space for families to bond with one another in new and different ways. Conversations took place between parents and children that were open, honest and revealing. Common meals became the order of the day. And shared activities relaced online isolation. What a blessing!

In the midst of social isolation community has become important to us. Neighbours are communicating with one another. People are volunteering at an unprecedented rate. And helping hands are offered wherever there’s a need. This is God’s Kingdom alive in our midst.

The onslaught of the Corona Virus has made it very clear that we live in a small world. We are more conscious of the suffering of our brothers and sisters in other countries. And less likely to think only of ourselves. And we expect our political leaders to do the same.

I could go on and on. But I think you get my point. We come out of this pandemic as changed people. The Holy Spirit has taught our hearts and stirred up our consciences. These are the talents Jesus spoke of in his famous Gospel parable. Not something to be set aside or cast off. But gifts that we carry with us into the future. Gifts meant to transform the world to the glory of God.

Msgr. Paul Zimmer
Pastor, St Clement Catholic Church, Etobicoke