Earlier this month the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which has been one of the principal sources of statistics and advice regarding COVID-19, issued its latest guidance. 

 

As we all are probably aware, the CDC recommended that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to mask or distance in most situations. Their advice that without vaccination masking and spacing still need to be observed remains unchanged.

 

One thing about which all have been in agreement since the beginning of the outbreak has been the hope and prayer that the pandemic will end and that we can safely return to a sense of normalcy in our activities. That time seems to be drawing closer every week.

 

It is no secret that the different recommendations and approaches to COVID-19 have been controversial over the last 15 months. Our politically and ideologically divided society has been divided also about the response to COVID-19 and especially about the use of masks.

 

Here in the Diocese of Rockford we have already begun to make use of the new CDC guidelines in both sacramental and non-sacramental gatherings. In so doing we are beginning the process that we are likely to see throughout society as COVID-19 recedes. That is, the integrating of different groups — people who use the mask and those who don’t, people who are vaccinated and those who, for many different reasons, have chosen not to receive the vaccination.

 

In spite of any sensitivities or diverse circumstances of different individuals, we must avoid any possible division among ourselves as members of the Church. Masked or not, distanced or together, our goal must be to live as the Church. In that way we can be a sign and an example to others.

 

To do so I would urge that we keep in mind three important indicators: charity, personal responsibility and the common good.

 

At a moment like this, we need to love our neighbor not only externally but also internally. 

 

If for any reason they approach the transition differently than I do (one wears a mask, the other chooses not to), we need to avoid any contentious comments or actions. As well, we should work to keep our thoughts charitable, attributing the best to others.

 

As a Church, our new guidelines try to offer different accommodations to people with different needs or concerns. For each of us then, there is the opportunity for personal responsibility. That is, the chance to serenely and discreetly look over those possibilities so that we can find the one that makes us most comfortable and especially most able to pray and worship God while we are in church. 

 

Finally, in all things we seek not only our own good but the common good. Our efforts for the last year have been to make the Church a contributor not only to the health of our own faithful, but also to the well-being of the wider community. As the transition moves forward, that concern for others must always be a part of our thoughts and of our faith.

 

St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ep 4: 1-3). 

 

This moment of transition will be a great opportunity for us to preserve unity and the bond of peace, especially among ourselves as followers of Jesus Christ.