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November 19, 2020This week, we will observe Thanksgiving. It is perhaps the most distinctly American of our national holidays. Normally Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the “holiday season.” The year 2020, however, has been anything but normal. We may not be feeling very festive this Thanksgiving.
In the aftermath of a bitterly contested election, civil disturbances, scandals and the ongoing global pandemic, it might be hard to remember what we ought to be grateful for this year. Stresses from all the ordinary personal, economic and societal challenges seem to have been multiplied by COVID-19. And, as the recent dramatic spike in COVID infections has reminded us, we are not out of the woods yet.
During this difficult time, I have been reflecting on a passage from Saint Paul in which he bares his soul about his struggle with weakness and vulnerability. He says, “Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me … for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:8-10). This is the paradox at the heart of our Christian faith and experience.
Like Saint Paul we have been praying daily for deliverance from this pandemic and its devastating effects. But, until that happens, how can we find God in it? Not despite our weakness and need, but rather because of these, how has Christ been able to reveal himself in our midst?
The experience of isolation during this pandemic has reminded us of how important it is to be in communion and relationship with others. I am grateful for all emergency workers, health care workers and those who have helped provide all kinds of services despite the personal risks involved.
I have marveled at the creativity and determination of so many of our priests, lay leaders and parishioners during this pandemic. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. Christ is present in it. The challenges of this time have helped foster a marvelous missionary spirit. Not many were expert in live-streaming events before COVID. Who knew anything about ZOOM meetings? Yet, ever since the beginning of the temporary suspension of public Masses, our priests and lay collaborators have embraced new ways to carry on the mission and ministries of the Church by adapting in such innovative ways as live-streaming Masses, “parking lot” Masses and online religious formation.
Since then, we have seen armies of staff and volunteers step up to provide parishes with technology assistance and pitch in to prepare and sanitize churches for a safe resumption of public Masses. We have seen beautiful outreach efforts as parishes developed websites and set up calling trees and other means to support and help carry one another’s burdens. The Knights of Columbus developed a beautiful “Leave No Neighbor Behind” initiative that some parishes have embraced. I have marveled at the way in which our Catholic schools and religious education programs adapted both to online instruction and the return to live classroom instruction during such uncertain times. The selfless cooperation and sacrifices needed to keep one another safe are a work of the Holy Spirit as well.
With so many people having more time on their hands and struggling with the experience of isolation, I have witnessed people being more intentional about how they use their time, making time for family, for prayer and to foster the important relationships in their lives.
The pandemic experience has been a time to reprioritize many things in our lives. We have discovered that we can get along quite well without some things, some habits and behaviors that once shaped and dominated our lives. Aware of our vulnerability we have perhaps become more aware of our need for quiet and prayer, more aware of the needs of others and more appreciative of the gifts that we have taken for granted, including health, the beauty of nature and the importance of friends, family, co-workers and loved ones.
For many, this pandemic has been a time of significant spiritual growth. It has not been easy. We would not have chosen it for ourselves. But, perhaps we are beginning to recognize that God is with us through it all. And, for this we can be truly grateful.