Why reflections on COVID-19?
Leonard Cohen’s song “Anthem” includes the memorable lines, “There is a crack, a crack in everything/ That’s how the light gets in.” (Press HERE to listen) Of late, the cracks caused by coronavirus have allowed piercing rays to expose much of what has passed as normal for many years. As a result, the inequalities, greed and banality of many systems and structures have been laid bare and found wanting. However, this is not all bad news. We now find ourselves standing at an intersection with decisions to make as to how we want to continue our journey.
The shine has worn off the established order and its actors. The failure of much that was thought important, indeed essential, has shown that it is time for change.
The shine has worn off the established order and its actors. The failure of much that was thought important, indeed essential, has shown that it is time for change.
The US, supposedly the most powerful country in the world, has been on display, to all with eyes to see, as a country in decline and led by a buffoon. The sun has long set on the once all conquering British Empire and its NHS, at a time the envy of the world. Both now lie in tatters with neither hope nor glory on the horizon. The EU has been exposed as a club interested primarily in promoting neo-liberalism and the financial well-being of the status-quo. When some of its member states needed aid, the EU overlords turned their backs and hung them out to dry.
|
Some of the nations that have highlighted the tiredness and lack of ideas on the part of the old established order are Taiwan, New Zealand and South Korea, among others. These countries didn’t set out to confront the old order, rather by virtue of their positive responses to COVID-19 they became, at one and the same time, both guiding lights for others and spotlights showing-up the cracks in fatigued structures and systems.
|
|
If coronavirus has exposed shortcomings on the levels of national governance, health care systems and financial structures, it has also highlighted deep-seated deficiencies in the world of religious institutions. In a time of pandemic and enforced isolation, if the best response religious organizations can muster is digitalized Masses/services, prayer groups and novenas, then questions are needed. If, when we are denied the physicality and tactility of communication, the best response religious leaders have to offer is one of ‘online Spiritual Communion,’ then we ought to be breaking our necks to return to the spiritual, theological, religious and missionary drawing boards.
"There is a crack, a crack in everything/ That’s how the light gets in."
As Leonard Cohen reminded us, “There is a crack, a crack in everything,” and that everything includes the worlds of religious beliefs and structures – the cracks are there for all to see. However, coronavirus and our responses to it are acting as wake-up calls, asking us to reflect on our experiences and begin the hope filled project of coming up with new roadmaps on spiritual, economic, political, and religious levels. It is precisely these challenges which demand our attention – hence, this first step of sharing our reflections of our time in a coronavirus challenged world.
EA
Korean Columban Newsletter