By Bishop James Foley
WELL, we are still in COVID-19 for a second Christmas and we are all thoroughly sick of it – in every sense of that phrase.
Yet the words from the Christmas liturgy may make more sense and may be more relevant perhaps than ever before:
“The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light; on those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone.” (Isaiah 9:1)
In the shadow of COVID we can only live in Hope of being set free from fear and hold to a Hope to returning to something like “normal”.
Though what was/is “normal” may never be quite the same as it used to be.
Hopefully these dark days may give way to a very different New World.
We also live in a time of “Wars and rumours of War”, perhaps more intense and more threatening than in any other period of our own lifetime.
Could it be that the universal fear, vulnerability of the COVID crisis creates a deeper sense of “fraternity” – of belonging to a common human family – far surpassing the limits of individualism and tribalism/nationalism?
So Isaiah’s promise/prophecy may be fulfilled:
“For all the footgear of battle,
every cloak rolled in blood,
is burnt and consumed by fire.
For there is a child born to us,
a son given to us
and this is the name they gave him:
Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father,
Prince of Peace.
Wide is his dominion in a peace that has no end,
for the throne of David and for his royal power,
which he establishes and makes secure in justice and integrity.
From this time onwards and for ever,
the jealous love of the Lord of host will do this.”
(Isaiah 9:4-7)
Bishop James Foley is the Bishop of Cairns
