A New Normal

a reflection on life during (AND AFTER) covid-19 by sister marguerite stewart

Over the past few months we’ve witnessed devastating pain, loss of loved ones, fears and anxiety — all resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. We hear the question asked again and again: “Will things ever get back to the way they were, back to normal?”  

And the response from many is no. We can’t go back. We must create a new normal — one of hope, of self-sacrificing love, of caring, of generous service. All qualities displayed by doctors, nurses, first-responders, volunteers. Neighbors helping neighbors, friends, relatives and, yes, even strangers giving of themselves with such loving care. “What can we do?” they’ve asked. Here at St. Francis Center for Renewal, we’ve received many calls from people asking how we are and if they can help us in any way. Can this — will this — be the new normal that God is pointing us to?  

Scripture is always a wonderful guide for us. A little over a month ago, we celebrated the Easter season. And it’s quite interesting to note how what we are experiencing relates to the passion and resurrection. Jesus suffered and died, the apostles were fearful and confused. But with Jesus’ rising and His Spirit coming upon the disciples, a “new normal” for the church begins.  

Perhaps no other gospel passage addresses hope more directly or more beautifully than the story of the two disciples on the way to Emmaus. They've decided to take a walk. They needed desperately to get away from Jerusalem. They chose to go to Emmaus, about seven miles away. It was the first day of the week, after the worst weekend of their lives. As they walked, they were joined by a stranger.  “What are you talking about?” He asks. “You don’t know?” And they go on to tell Jesus the story of the terrible weekend. They end by saying, “We had hoped.”

Yes, the disciples were hoping … hoping that Jesus was the Messiah, hoping he would free them from slavery … hoping he would never die. 

Hope.

We know the end of the story — the disciples invited Jesus to have dinner with them, and they finally recognized Him in the breaking of the bread. And He disappears.  

A New Hope is re-enkindled in the disciples. “Were not our hearts on fire as He spoke?” They quickly returned to Jerusalem to tell the others that they had seen Jesus. There they hear that Jesus had also appeared to Peter and John. Their hope was renewed, and the new church had begun … new. Not like it was, but a new normal, fashioned after the love, compassion and spirit of Jesus.                                      

In hearing this story proclaimed, I’ve always been perplexed that these disciples did not recognize Jesus. They were His disciples, with Him so much. Did He disguise himself? If so, why? The answer is no. Perhaps the disciples were so caught up in themselves, distracted, distraught and afraid. Certainly they never thought for one moment that He would come to them. But Jesus took the initiative and was present to them. And they finally recognized Him in the breaking of the bread.  

This can so often happen to us. “Where is God in all this?” we ask, in all of this loss and this suffering? God is here, but maybe we do not recognize him.

Recently on the news they showed destruction from tornadoes. They showed a house, completely destroyed, where they found a little 5-year-old boy completely unharmed. In the many stories of the coronavirus ... so many people doing so much good … God is present. We are not alone!  

Yes, God is present in this pandemic: In the suffering, and in the love of those who are trying and doing so much good to help one another. It is so important that this love, caring, giving of ourselves continues to grow so that we will truly have a new normal.  

Many of us are spending our time these days at home. What a very good thing it can be for us to spend this time in prayer, good reading and listening to God. He is present, and we are not alone!

Sister Marguerite is a member of the retreat team at St. Francis Center for Renewal in Bethlehem, Pa. She also is available for private spiritual direction via computer. To inquire, email her at smargueriteosf@yahoo.com.