For years to come, graduating students from around the world will be talking about their milestone graduation, virtually. Usually grade 12 students are excited to hear from universities or colleges regarding acceptance. Some other grade 12 students want to develop a trade and begin their life in the workforce. Many Fr. Bressani students were happy that their last bit of high school was coming to an end. Parents and loved ones see their child growing into adulthood. Prom and graduation became part of that milestone. But then something happened all around the world, coronavirus, also known as Covid-19.
This disease caused many cancellations, and unfortunately it affected our community in unimaginable ways. Our own community was affected because of those suffering from sickness and even death. The world and our community changed. Everyone was forced to stay home for two weeks after the March break. The pandemic continued. Classrooms were then held online everyday. The students saw their friends through some form of technology. Virtual life became the 2020 substitute for hallway chat and cafeteria gathering. Most students walked to the kitchen table for supper with their families, after completing their virtual online classroom. This deadly virus changed our lives. What happened? Why did it happen? How do we cope? How can we find peace during difficult times? How do we get back to normal? Two things are for sure, this virtual life became part of our new normal and at the same time, we had to remind ourselves of what it means to be Catholic.
Recently the Archbishop of Toronto, Cardinal Thomas Collins gave some insightful reflections on being a Christian during these difficult times. During his homily on Good Friday, he stated that “the cross of human suffering…speaks to us of why we call this (Good) Friday good. It is the cross (in which) we see God’s presence amongst us. And our Lord Christ is on the cross, and it is the cross of suffering, we are thankful that God has entered into this world.” We can “become attentive to the Lord, Who came amongst us, who suffered, experienced human suffering. Through sweat, with blood, in the Garden of Gethsemane, He is there, so close to us.” Cardinal Collins continued to give some meaning for these times of suffering, “But perhaps, in these days, when we are brought face-to-face with life and death, we see the pandemic raging and ravaging the world, we see people in such great suffering. It is now that we can appreciate and understand that, it is in this world, this valley of tears, this world of exile, that God comes to us in the midst of our suffering. And the cross of suffering is very much present.” Today you may be suffering because you are home all the time, you may not be able to communicate with friends and family as you once did, you can’t play any sports or continue on with work responsibilities. For most teenagers, you are bored, and you can’t express your feelings. As Cardinal Collins stated, “But perhaps, even more, we need to meditate in these days of suffering…for that is what gives us life and hope and joy. It gives us courage to face affliction. To triumph through tribulation. We make a joyful sacrifice, our sacrifice of praise.” Perhaps, today is the day that you sense that gratitude for God. Change the way you think. Ask God to help you through this difficult time. Ask Jesus to be your friend and ask Him to help you understand the world today. Today we need to learn about being appreciative and grateful. Say to God, I am grateful there is not a shortage of food for my family and that we can come together for a meal. I am grateful that I am able to communicate with others because of technology. I am grateful that I can continue with my education. I am grateful for my friends and family. I am grateful that I am able to graduate, and for all the people who led me to this moment, and for being able to creatively celebrate together, with a virtual graduate Mass. During the pandemic, we offer up our suffering to the Lord for others who are suffering, sick and dying, especially in our own community. As Catholics, we must go to Jesus through Mary, and realize that God has a plan for each of us during these times. Just ask for His will to be done. Let us ponder on Cardinal Collins’ words, “Through our experience of this period of tribulation we can come to appreciate more fully the profound richness of our life in Christ.”