The Kingdom is the New Normal

Today we speak of the new normal; the new way of human lifestyle and new way of human interaction. However, this new normal has the tendency towards isolation and further individualism because of the call for social distancing.

On the other hand, this new normal too has the potential to become a new consciousness, a new hope for humanity, an opportunity to reset not only the economy but to reset our lives.

What are the discrepancy between the two?

I believe the discrepancy lies in the fact that there is so much to be learned from the past; from when before the pandemic shattered us and isolated us from each other.

Wala tayong pakialam sa isa’t-isa,

wala tayong pakialam sa mga nasa kalye,

wala tayong pakialam sa hirap at pighati ng iba,

wala tayong pakialam sa kalikasan,

In the new normal, walang-akong-paki mentality can no longer be the norm,

pagkakanya-kanya can no longer be our lifestyle,

Why? Because kung mangiiwan tayo, baka tayo ang maiwan. Kung bibitawan natin ang kamay ng nasa tabi natin, baka tayo ang mahulog. Kung magkakanya-kanya tayo, baka hindi na natin madama ang saya nga madami.

Individualism and isolationism are vicious. They can consume us and lead us into believing that we’re fine; which may not always be for all we know.

Such is the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is the New Normal. But in order for it to become a new and good normal, we have to get rid of the old normal, the bad normal, the secluded normal, unengaged normal and so on.

The old and the new normal simply cannot be put together because if we do not make things new, we perish. From the virus, and from Sin.

The kingdom of God will always be at odds with the old consciousness, this consciousness, this normalcy, this usual routine, this loss of the sense of sin.

If we want to achieve the Kingdom of God, if we want to win against the virus, the old ways don’t hold anymore. If we remain old maids, we may lost the chance for this to see the gift of this Kingdom which is newness and freshness. The Kingdom is a bastion and invitation for newness, for a new life in Christ.

FIRST READING Thus says the LORD: On that day I will raise up    the fallen hut of David; I will wall up its breaches,    raise up its ruins,    and rebuild it as in the days of old, That they may conquer what is left of Edom    and all the nations that shall bear my name,    say I, the LORD, who will do this. Yes, days are coming,    says the LORD, When the plowman shall overtake the reaper,    and the vintager, him who sows the seed; The juice of grapes shall drip down the mountains,    and all the hills shall run with it. I will bring about the restoration of my people Israel;    they shall rebuild and inhabit their ruined cities, Plant vineyards and drink the wine,    set out gardens and eat the fruits. I will plant them upon their own ground;    never again shall they be plucked From the land I have given them,    say I, the LORD, your God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14

R. (see 9b) The Lord speaks of peace to his people.

I will hear what God proclaims;    the LORD—for he proclaims peace to his people. Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,    glory dwelling in our land. R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people. Kindness and truth shall meet;    justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth,    and justice shall look down from heaven. R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people. The LORD himself will give his benefits;    our land shall yield its increase. Justice shall walk before him,    and salvation, along the way of his steps. R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.

GOSPEL | Mt 9:14-17

Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

The disciples of John approached him and said,    “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much,    but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn    as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,    and then they will fast. No one patches an old cloak with a piece of unshrunken cloth,    for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse. People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”