Bound together in Christ

In exploring the challenges and uncertainties during COVID-19, it is vital that throughout this time we, as one
Catholic family, recall the importance of our faith, the importance of unity and the importance of love for one
another. In trying to grasp the severity and the reality of the COVID-19 virus, we are slowly beginning to realise
that the reality, and the social norms we have practised comfortably and confidently every day, are no longer
appropriate during these times. Gestures such as shaking hands with each other when we greet; hugging and
kissing our loved ones, displaying our natural affection and intimacy with those outside our “bubble”, are
simply no longer appropriate in this new age of being and socialising.

However, actions such as praying for each other and giving each other a word of encouragement during these
times are important. We must remain steadfast. Our catholic community relies on us all keeping the faith that
God’s unconditional love, seen through the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, and realised truly in the Resurrection has
paved a way for us to navigate this trial.

COVID-19 presents to us several social, economic and spiritual challenges. We are introduced to a term called
“social-distancing” and how vital it is to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Some may say that this is a
paradoxical situation; a “catch-22”. We are called to ‘unite’ against COVID-19 yet are limited in our practical
understanding of what this means, and how to do it. We are told to act as if we personally had the COVID-19
virus. We are expected to self-isolate; to stay home in the hopes that we, as a nation, will begin to ‘flatten the
curve’ of COVID-19 cases. It is extremely difficult at times to be compassionate and understanding due to the
situation we are in. We find ourselves thinking more ego-centrically, as opposed to how we can share the burden
with others. We watch businesses and the economy slowly decline and recognise that some will inevitably be
forced to close permanently. There is a distinct air of uncertainty in this new future and world that we are all
encountering.

Pope Francis’ words, as expressed in “Laudato Si”, calls all people to take swift and unified action against
consumerism and to lament environmental degradation and global warming. Humans were created in the image
and likeness of God. It is through God that we live, breathe and have our meaning and being. We are God’s
personal “Stewards of Creation”. At its most basic core, we are tasked with looking after God’s creation, which
includes each other. This common duty binds us as Catholics.

We show this stewardship by our care of each other; in particular, our shared concern and solidarity for the poor
and vulnerable of our community. Pope Francis recognised the decline of the quality of human life and the
breakdown of society. He has challenged us to be conscious of the disproportionality between all classes of
citizens within our society. This divide separates us and prevents us from caring for each other; following in the
footsteps of Christ, who declared that “whatever you do for the least of my brothers and sisters, you do to me”
(Mt 25:40).

We are seeing on an hourly basis the indiscriminate nature of COVID-19. No one is unaffected and no-one is
immune from this virus.  We are all vulnerable to COVID-19 and as such, we must take precautionary
measures. We must look out for each other’s needs, especially those who have been excluded from the basic
human rights, including food, healthcare, education, freedom and company of others. As brothers and sisters in
Christ, we are compelled to love one another. This is our Catholic duty but also, our moral and faithful duty,
which obligates us to stand by each other, support each other, pray and love each other as Christ did for us.

The Easter Triduum which encompasses Good Friday, Black Saturday (Holy Saturday) and Easter Sunday are
all days that are of significant relevance in our Catholic lives. It is a time where we gather as one Catholic
Family to remember and to celebrate the ultimate sacrifice that Christ made on the cross for our sins. It is this
sacrifice that enables victory over death – a constant reminder of the love God has for his people. As Catholics,
our weekly Masses serve as a reminder of the sacrifice Christ willingly made, so that we may receive the grace
and love Christ pours out for us, shed by his own blood on the cross. The Holy Mass – a time for us to
physically gather together in our church to pray; give thanks, to remember Christ’s sacrifice and to receive Holy
Communion, to worship and to experience God’s love has been placed on temporary suspension. However, we
find ways to be resourceful and to continue observing and hearing the word of God. We find ways to maintain
our Faith and we find ways to unite our Church family, with the aid of technology, in the celebration of the
Eucharist. Our Church is not built on sand, but rather on the rock solid foundation of the faithful.
 During this pandemic, there are many factors that can ‘unbalance’ our faith. Examples of these could be death
and suffering of loved ones, job losses, and financial uncertainty. Although these things can cause our faith to
become unhinged; cause us to lose track of God, cause us to question “Why”? the Easter Triduum reminds us
that “these three things remain; faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor 13:13). This is our
Faith; this is what binds us together in Christ.