Laudato Si Week

Sunday 24th May is the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis releasing his Encyclical Letter, Laudato Si, which deals with our common home, the earth.  For me, this encyclical is simply summarised as we care for each other and our earth, and, if we don't, we pay the price.

Accordingly, the week ahead has been named in the Church as Laudato Si Week, with the theme - Care for our common home. I was prepared for this but then along came a surprise letter from our archbishop, announcing that all church buildings would reopen next Sunday, also 24th May.  This reopening happens after two months of keeping churches closed due to Covid-19 and it opens up a whole new agenda for my week. 

Simply put, it is not just a proclamation to open up church doors.  This is about exiting Phase 1 of the pandemic and entering into what I hear named as the next normal.  One can no longer go back to what was and resume business as normal.  It is rather moving into the unknown of how to operate collectively as human beings together in this new age focused on heightened concern for public health and safety within a global pandemic.

This challenges us to paying attention to each other in ways we have not known.  This challenges us to show respect to each other in deeper ways, ways previously not considered.  I am not to act in public just to protect myself but more potently I act to protect others, doing so through rethinking everyday behaviours previously taken for granted.  All this because of a virus that could effect anyone and everyone without our ever knowing.

Social distancing is the cry of the time but it is about much more.  We are truly entering the next normal in human relations and gathering.  As I think of it for mass next Sunday, this is a huge ask.  We have to think through all our accepted social norms for gathering and reorganise so as to be able to gather without causing harm to each other, not even knowing if this is happening inadvertently.

This is but one simple setting that presents us a challenge for change, that demands new ways as we search to care for each other and take responsibility for each other in these extraordinary times.  Apply this to the planet and, Voila!  We have the way ahead.  Care and concern; respect and responsibility are the four key works for the next normal, for caring for our common home.

Roll on Laudato Si Week!  Roll on the next normal!

Priest being creative in giving the easter blessing to his people during the pandemic