Why 2021 will be an opportunity
A reflection of a Catholic worker.
Some are fed up with COVID-19 speculation, vaccine, news, hope. Sure, we are all in the same boat. But there are plenty of other factors that make 2021 better. This article may offend many, but I think it is a difficult truth to admit. In the end, the writer of this article is one of you, those locked down by COVID-19 for the entire year in the US.
It is a time to act & love, not silent reflection, self-pity, or get depressed. We spent much of 2020 doing that.
Those who learned to cope will be less anxious
Have you been to a year-long retreat? If a day of retreat can change your life for the better, this retreat from regular life shifted everything to what really matters. It helps many confront their unconscious. People figured out many hurt, darkness, and misconfiguration in their hearts and mind.
Some will come out of this situation, not only stronger but also less selfish, less self-proclaimed right, less controlling, less anxious hopefully, less unhealthy lifestyle, less fake relationships.
Extremely Democratic Countries Finally Learn
By no means are we celebrating a communist system like China or North Korea. But it is a lie that a democratic country is immeasurably better than other systems.
Our Lord does not play a Kingdom with democracy in heaven.
Let’s put what he actually did in the past, but if you have a loving king like St. Louis, why would you want American democracy? It is mostly because of fear. Those indoctrinated with education or far-right or had a bad memory of Russia and Germany and live in the past might insist that American democracy is impactable and Godly. It was designed with flaws that sacrifice many things, one of which is the reliance on the entire population not to destroy themselves to stay alive.
A common issue worldwide that has overcrowded this last century was the legalization of abortions due to democracy. In Asia, before such legalized or fought for, many countries have been seeing it illegal. Including my country of origin. Democracy has led to million deaths, it just happened that the Communists destroyed the visible, democracy destroyed the silent. If you are confused by this fact, we would like to invite you to know that there are hundreds of countries worldwide, not just China, Russia, North Korea, Burma, and other countries used by the west to sow hatred against a system. Again, this reflection isn’t supporting communism, but we hope to wake people up in the democratic community.
Unlike other countries, democratic countries need a long time. I really mean a LONG time, to learn how to wear masks, distant, and resolve bad situations.
In some countries, we can see the society relies on the freedom to suicide and false information, as long as it does not bother everyone else. Yet, in irony, their actions are locking the entire country down and making everyone live in extreme fear the entire 2020, disturbing the international community and their neighbors.
Would the UK COVID-19 variant exist if all countries locked them down in march completely? I can only hope that the answer was no, less death, less destruction. But should we blame the democratic country? I don’t think so. Some of them will hopefully shift away from imperfect democracy.
In my opinion, democracy needs to be fast, unbureaucratic, and there is. separation of leaders and agenda will cure some of the polarization caused by the current democracy in the US that is sadly copied by other countries.
The good thing about the deaths of hundreds of thousands in the US is that it becomes the driving factor for the private sectors to push themselves so hard to find a vaccine. It won’t be out this fast if it is not because we are destroying ourselves. Of course, we hope it wasn’t the case, how could we enjoy the deaths of people? We need to pray for and show respect to those who died from COVID in the US, though as insensitive as it might sound, for at least the vaccine will help those in other countries faster.
In some countries, no fights even occurred once about masks, distances, or privacy. As Pope Francis noted, individualistic interests could not sum to the best of society. Democratic countries are challenged to be less individualistic, less correct, less selfish, less self-controlling, less distrust against their government, and less self-imposing views.
We learned that our opinions hurt society, teaching us to be humble, to listen, and not to speak up for something we do not know. We learn not to listen to those who claim to have authority or expertise over a subject, and we learn to think critically against the opinions of others.
This is precious. Influencers and famous folks will have less impact on our society. As Bill Gates said, “the society learns.”
Those who sought materials now seek spirituality
Not saying that everyone will have a good path to the Truth, but there have been migrations between the two. Many Catholics are no longer practicing, but some of them will return at one point. The ignorant are now back to seeking something. It is an opportunity for His disciples to act and bring hope and happiness to others searching.
This is the time to reap. Catholics, we should stop praying in seclusion and do nothing. Let’s keep the prayer and start actively offering help and chat with our neighbors.
Learn to talk with your neighbors for one hour, not for transactional or for a hello.
The time will not last long. It will be wasted by many, but this is a great harvest of the soul for us Christians.
The end of current false future and security
Social structure has been collapsing. Many are relocating. Businesses are changing. Families are reuniting. The so-called American dream has been destroyed in a few months. Although not everyone, many realized what truly matters is not their economic dream. It is not Silicon Valley, Hollywood, Traveling, Rocket. It is not many others. What would they turn to then?
It will come back to where it was because there are not many things Christians do to bring them to the fullness of faith. But at least, it will be a different grip from what they used to be.
The good thing about changing grip is we feel immature, we feel inexperienced, so we listen, we learn, we let go of our pride.
This gives us a chance to learn a new perspective from others who are still holding the same grip but hoping to change society. However, there are not many of those idealists.
Smaller Countries Will Be Great
You’ve probably heard the saying: “When you die, people only remember how they felt being around you.” But strangers talk a lot only about the achievement.
Some countries like Taiwan, New Zealand, Australia, and others are increasingly being seen as great, as they managed the COVID so well. There could be massive migrations in the years to come to less visible countries. Greatness often attracts those who seek vanity. Yet, Christians in those countries will have a great opportunity to evangelize.
To our fellow brothers and sisters in faith in those countries, don’t neglect the immigrants in the next 5 years. They will be the strength of Christian communities in the next generation.
Yet, Christians in those countries will have a great opportunity to evangelize. To our fellow brothers and sisters in faith in those countries, don’t neglect the immigrants in the next 5 years. They will be the strength of Christian communities in the next generation. One, in particular, I am hopeful of Australia to heal the division between secularism and Christianity.
Giving Back Will Rise Before Dying Out
With migrations that have been softly happening due to the restriction, we can project a migration wave. This will send many of the collective cultures out into the individualistic cultures, making giving back to society becoming a norm.
Social enterprises will rise, raw capitalism will slowly decline.
This is an opportunity for those who do not like the greed in business to jump into businesses to love their neighbors. However, it might take another 10 to 20 years before the majority start realizing it is not about giving back.
It is about capping our wealth and distributing immediately. Deffered Christians will be seen as a failure in the next few decades.
Society will learn what it takes not to dream of becoming Warren Buffet. The world will shape its way to follow Chuck Feeney early on in life, not after becoming successful.
Nevertheless, it is an opportunity to love. Non-profits will not need to work as hard as they are now; more resources will be equally available. The identity in the national boundary will fade, giving more access to capitals. The left-behind countries might be exploited by the capitalists who will lose markets in developed countries, but it won’t be long for the developing countries to follow the rest of the country.