In his weekly column Light of the World of the Catholic Times a priest begins with the above quote.
Amid COVID-19—"Living is no big thing. It's living courageously." As a result of the direct hit of Corona 19, companies that were doing well went bankrupt, overnight workers lost their jobs, were locked up in the house causing depression, and many people were seriously sick or died.
What did we experience and learn in that dark tunnel? Wear a mask? Working non-face-to-face, quarantine, being alone? But what if that was all we learned? Hopefully, I've become a kinder person, my love for my family or neighbor has grown more affectionate, and my prayers have become more diligent. It is said that COVID-19 has brought a "new normal" (a new standard) into society and culture. But are we and society changing for the better?
What is a good change? A change for the better. It is an expression that can be interpreted in many ways, but the most important element is 'love'. Sharing the sorrow of a friend, showing concern for others, caring for others, and sharing with each other are expressions of love, the changing of society for the better. As people grow, we also need to change for the better. It is in this context that we deepen our faith, become sanctified and become deeply united with Christ.
「A Brief Social Doctrine」 also mentions good changes. Those who realize God's love and become assimilated with Christ experience an inner transformation (44), realizing the deep mystery of life, and strive to change society for the better (4). They become catalysts for this (52). It is said that this kind of change is essential at all times, and what is needed for this is 'mutual love' (134).
Loving, hugging, and having courage— I often hear stories of people who have been through the hardships of COVID-19. Some people overcame it well, but sadly, some people have ended their lives or their lives have been ruined. Our prayers and attention are needed. But if you endured, what was the driving force that sustained you? There may be factors such as individual competence and will, but wouldn't it be friends, family, and community? If we work together, there is nothing we can't do, and just as the core of our faith is 'the Lord is with us', wouldn't that love help us to overcome the lonely and difficult times?
Although COVID-19 is over and the world continues to change, it's mutual love that changes us and society for the better and lifts us up after falling. You're right. It would be a wonderful world if we could live together helping each other with our strength and concern, loving each other.
"The transformation of the world is a fundamental requirement of our time also. To this need the Church's social Magisterium intends to offer the responses called for by the signs of the times, pointing above all to the mutual love between human beings, in the sight of God, as the most powerful instrument of change, on the personal and social levels" (#55).
