Page 99 - spiritual_accompaniment_montreal_archdiocese

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Moreover, I would invite you and encourage you not to be driven to blame.
When we are in difficult periods of our lives, it is only human to blame some-
thing or someone. It is important not to get caught up in the idea of blame
because we are all in this together, for the greatness of our planet. This
pandemic is not the fault of the Chinese nor was it the fault of the Spanish for
the Spanish flu since the flu did not even originate in Spain. The pandemic is
not the cause of a particular people, race or culture. It is a biological reality
which now affects all of humanity. We must work together to be able to face it.

This question of blame makes us forget that we are in this together. Human
beings tend to put people in categories. In so doing, it makes us forget this.
From the beginning, we thought a lot about the elderly and put them slightly
apart in a separate category. We have gotten past that! We now focus on what
is really important: the health and symptoms experienced by everyone and
not just a particular group. We have therefore used measures that work and
reassure everyone. We have learned to physically distance, to wear a mask, and
wash our hands.

Lately, for example, we have also become a little impatient with certain
behaviours of some youth. We must not forget that we were once young and
thirsty for life ourselves! Young people have also struggled and suffered
through this pandemic. These are difficult times for everyone, young and old.
Let us not blame the young people. Let us love them and accompany them.
And if they disregard the rules at times and are not cautious, let us be patient.
Let us talk and communicate. Let us stay safe together. Sharing our concerns
during the pandemic solidifies our need for each other and society. For society
needs the dreams and energy of its youth.

Let us make an important personal resolution, “I shall not blame anyone.”
I invite you to make a firm resolution, a necessary resolution to keep this
conviction that we are all confronting the pandemic together.

(cont’d)

Collection of texts by the Most Rev. Christian Lépine 99