Being on the threshold of Spring 2021, I want to reflect on the impact of Covid-19 a year later. What comes to me after seeing people react, change, comment and live under the impact of this global pandemic? The first thing that comes to mind is Jesus’ famous verse: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The verse comes to mind because the way Jesus lived on earth was an example for us to live our lives. He lived a full life by helping others, speaking the truth and healing the sick, blind and lame. Jesus taught us the way of truth, that involved denying ourselves and thinking of others first. Jesus gets us to consider how we can make an impact on the world for the betterment of humanity and for individual souls, leading others to eternity and union with God the Father. What I have noticed in the public discourse after one year of Covid-19, is that fear has captivated the minds of most leaders both in public office and in culture. Many people have been afraid to die, that they have forgotten how to live. Many people and public leaders have been preoccupied with preventing death that this preoccupation has created a murky cloud about the true meaning of life, especially among our young people. Jesus lived 33 years on earth, a short time by modern standards, but his impact globally has been unparalleled for over two thousand years. Is length of life a true measure of happiness ? or a true measure of having lived a fulfilling life? Furthermore, what will COVID-19 fears do to human relations in the future ? Will people hug again? Will people shake hands anymore? Will fear prevent human interaction to the point where humans will regress into an excessive dependency on online relationships, mirroring a dystopia like The Matrix? One wonders if we have reached the era as it is described in the Bible in Matthew 24:12, “because of the increase in lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold.”
COVID-19 a Year Later
