Kia tau te rangimārie ki a koutou
At 11.59 pm on 2nd December all of New Zealand will move to the Covid-19 Protection Framework. While that is still uncertain for us there are some things which are certain, and which are very difficult for some people to cope with.
For various reasons not everyone wants to be vaccinated. Some are very anxious and concerned about what they see as strict Government mandates, and the need to show a vaccine pass is worrying many.
A few days ago, I heard from a parishioner who wrote “Unfortunately not all Catholics, see vaccination as a moral obligation… being confronted by them while trying to ensure protocols for the safety of us all is stressful, and I believe is about to become even harder…”. Unfortunately, I think that is true and that it is going to get harder. This person also told me “I was registering those coming to Mass and told that I was wearing the mask of Satan and the pen I was holding was Satan’s”.
When I read something like the above, I worry about the people who have to listen to this kind of nonsense. It is wrong, it is unfair, and it is untrue. This time we are living in is building up to be a tense, anxious and a soul-destroying time.
What is it that we need to do?
- Pause and reflect, pray about this situation of anxiety, which is affecting many people, ask for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and remember the words of Jesus; “My own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you,” (John 14:27)
- Be kind, be gentle, be patient.
- Look for ways to do simple acts, random acts of kindness.
- Tell the stories of kindness and gentle thoughtfulness.
- Make this an opportunity to be positive, to reach out in Christian love and compassion.
- Support one another, especially those in the frontline.
With abundant blessings
+ John