On such a day, in this year of a global pandemic, we find ourselves grateful
for the millions of workers who keep us safe, the grocery stores stocked, the internet functioning and
all those researchers working in laboratories trying to discover a vaccine.
We also keep in
our thoughts and prayers the millions of workers who have recently become unemployed as a consequence
of the global shutdown. While we sometimes get the opportunity to do something practical for those
around us affected by illness, business collapse, or unemployment, it is often the case that it appears
that there is not much that we can do. In our Christian tradition (and others too) we have long
held the notion that we can keep people in our prayers, asking God to care for those who are experiencing
hardship.
Keeping people in our thoughts and prayers is also an act of solidarity, where we
consciously remember people and their situations rather than allowing ourselves to forget their circumstances
in our own busy lives. Just as the celebration of International Worker's Day and the like has the
power to bring people together, this private act of keeping people in our thoughts and prayers can do
the same.
Over many years, I have found that trying to be more mindful of others in this way
somehow prepares me to be a bit more ready when the opportunity comes to do something more tangible.
The power of the prayer/practice is that it works on me, from the inside, out.
In our College
setting, we see real value in reminding the boys that we are all called to be men (and women) for others.
Regardless of any specific act that we may make, this motto reminds us that the world is a better place
when we are in solidarity with those around us. Wherever we look in the darkest times over the last
two months, the stories and experiences that have provided the greatest reassurance and hope are those
of service and generosity to others.
Just as we have all wondered about what aspects of our
recent experience (such as reduced pollution) might be good to keep after the restrictions ease, maybe
this intense experience will deepen our post-COVID-19 awareness of the importance of being in solidarity
with others, even if that can only be in our thoughts and prayers.
Best wishes for the week
ahead.
Brian Schumacher
Principal
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