Looking Back at 2020, Forward to 2021

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As Bishop Solis’ reminded us in his New Year’s message (published Dec. 25 in the Intermountain Catholic), now is an opportune time to reflect on who we are as people of faith and how we might better follow the teachings of our Savior. At the beginning of this new year, let us ignore the secular call of a “new year, new you” based in cosmetic changes or possessions. Instead, let us join Bishop Solis’ resolution to live the Gospel values and grow in our commitment to the good of all, to protecting the dignity and sanctity of life and to ensuring good stewardship of the gift of Creation.

We spent so much of 2020 with tangible reminders of our global interconnectedness, seeing our brothers and sisters in India, Africa, Asia, Europe and across the Americas wearing masks and adapting to the “new normal.” Such sights were strange, but also inspiring, as we came together in global solidarity to try across cultures to contain the coronavirus through the same simple steps of wearing masks and maintaining social distance.

Coronavirus also forced us to think concretely about the dignity and sanctity of the lives around us, requiring that we wear masks to protect our loved ones, as well as complete strangers. While wearing a mask can be highly annoying, the discomfort is minor compared to the opportunity it provides every day to show our love for our fellow human beings. Each person we see wearing a mask, or whom we approach wearing our own mask, visibly expresses how much the wearer values the lives of others. As the promise of a vaccine offers a welcome relief from these months of isolation and video chats, let us not forget how easy it can be to show one another that we love each other as our self.

Let us also not forget the healing power of Creation in this new year. Cleaner air and more neighbors walking our communities were some of the unexpected benefits of social distancing.  As we turn the page on 2020, keep in mind the joy of walking intentionally, seeing the beauty in our neighborhoods, saying hello to our fellow walkers, enjoying all that God has given us, from air to trees to bird song to neighbors. Let us commit to living with gratitude for all of creation and with the understanding that we live more fully when we focus less on consuming and more on sharing the abundance of God’s gifts to us.

The past year also taught us many lessons about charity. Toilet paper shortages, empty food banks, neighbors in quarantine and parishioners unable to attend Mass provided ample opportunities to choose to share more of our time, talent and treasure with others. Let us continue in the new year to give of ourselves whether by donating goods or time to serve the homeless, bringing Communion to those who are unable to attend Mass, dropping off meals to someone who is recuperating from illness or other acts of giving of ourselves to someone in need.

Finally, 2020 reminded us just how important celebration of the Eucharist is to our faith, but also that we are more than our church buildings. While we have missed being physically present at Mass, we can also be grateful for the technology that allowed us to witness the celebration of the Eucharist while protecting one another from a deadly virus. Our patience and sacrifice in foregoing in-person Masses to protect the lives of others showed true faith, strong hope and perfect charity. While we will rejoice heartily when we are together in our parishes again, let us not forget that we are always one in Christ, even on livestream or Zoom.