Hajja Salesjana October-November 2020

H AJJA S ALESJANA 4 A New Masked Normal Sure enough 2020 will be forever etched not only in the history books but in the collective memory of each and every one of us for more reasons than one – it was the year schools shut down, churches closed, airplanes got grounded, cruise ships stopped sailing, offices went still, cars remained parked, cities became silent, streets became deserted and life as we knew it, ground to a sudden shuddering halt taking us all by surprise. I have no doubt, that even with the passage of time, we will continue to share stories about how we had to adapt to a new normal, how we had to get used to a masked existence, how everything we took so for granted up to a few days before became a longed-for reality seemingly out of reach, how our lives were radically transformed and howour plans were completely ravaged by a minuscule virus that wrought utter havoc on everything and everyone. Indeed 2020 has been a very sobering year for each and every one of us. We have all had our fair share of fears to grapple with, difficulties to overcome and painful adaptations to make to a reality none of us ever dreamed of having to live and struggle through. For many this was a nightmare from which they hoped to wake up and leave behind. Alas, the Corona onslaught was no mere dream, no figment of imagination, no science fiction saga! Nonetheless, despite the dark tunnel we all seem to be passing through, we must remain hopeful, we must keep resilient and not give up hope. In this darkness, while we hope to glimpse a light at the end of the tunnel, we ourselves must be carriers of light so that we can brighten up the lives of those around us. We must be knights of Christ’s bright light by spreading love in our mundane, altered, everyday reality. We must be the ones who continue to serve, support, encourage, smile and point to the stars rather than to our bleak surroundings. For this to come about, we must be in a stable relationship with the Light of the World, with Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour. He is the Light that is never blown out by nothing and no one. Corona can never match up to His dazzling, shimmering, astounding warm brilliance. Let us be in His Light, let us be shrouded by His soothing Light, let us be so enlightened by Him, that we effortlessly and without any fanfare spread His warmth, His care, His love, His mercy, His compassion, His forgiveness and yes, His Light by our authentic and responsible way of being. Let us believe that Jesus Christ is indeed the Waymaker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper and Light in the darkness for each and every one of us. Let us hold tight to His promise that He will never abandon us and will be always by our side for He is Emanuel – God with and for us. With Him, we will be victorious. With Him we will overcome this existential threat. Humanity has overcome similar circumstances in the past and sure enough we will rise again. But to do so, we must be united as one human family, giving the whole glory to God. United we stand but divided we fall! Let us trust 2021 in God’s hands, hoping for a renewed humanity and a better healthy future for one and all. God bless us all! Fr. Sandro Camilleri sdb PhotobySylwiaBartyzel fromwww.unsplash.com