20-22 Covid-19 Daily Reflections

  It does not look like the border between the US and Canada will be open up anytime soon. The rate of Covid-19 infection in many states in the US has become a factor in that decision. Recently, the Premier of Ontario criticized some American politicians for irresponsible re-opening of the business in their respective states. This delay has created more personal headaches for many American and Canadian families because we are two very inter-dependent nations. The border is an artificial and arbitrary thing when it comes to family relationships. If we take time and think about how many other arbitrary boundaries we have put up in our society, that will also call for further reflection. We have created boundaries in how we provide healthcare for our people. Covid-19 has confirmed to us that our healthcare systems are inadequate to deal with the pandemic crisis. That is true in both countries even though Canada might boast that it has universal healthcare. Canada has a v...

  It has been wet where I am all weekend long. It was one of those weekends that the best thing to do is make some hot chocolate, sit and read a good book. I decided to reread some of the books about what it means to practice the presence of God in my daily life. I have been thinking a lot about this because of all of the events that have taken place lately. I am trying to discern what is the appropriate Christian response because I am aware of my anger and frustration.   It reminds me of Jesus' ministry as one of incarnation. He chose not to remove himself from human suffering. He suffered on our behalf. I am compelled by the thoughts that I need to follow that very example if I desire to be a helpful minister during such a challenging time in human history. Many faces and many names surfaced as I pondered on that thought. Many of us know people who are suffering from poverty, loneliness, grief, rejection, and more. The question is whether we dare to be and...

  A friend of mine was asking me about my thoughts about a topic concerning shapping family in the post-COVID-19 world. We have learned about many challenging aspects of family life and dynamic. Children could not come to see and care for elderly parents. Grandchildren were not able to see their grandparents. Family members could not gather together for any family celebration. Children went to school online. Parents worked from home and took care of their kids. Husband and wife have to be with each other more than what they used to. How are we going to prepare for the post-pandemic time? How is the family going to be shaped by what we learned and experienced? A) Flexibility: There are many uncertainties we have to face as enter the post-pandemic time. I do not doubt that it will create stress in family life. We cannot be too rigid about any decision or choice about family life. Be flexible in terms of our expectations of how and when things should be. B) Intentionalit...

    It was quite windy yesterday morning when I went for a walk. On a hot and humid day, the wind is a needed welcome break. On a cold and chilly day, the wind increases the level of discomfort. Sometimes it was challenging to keep the car on the road. I have also witnessed semi-trucks jackknifed because of the wind. Regardless of how we feel and what the external condition is, the wind always signifies changes. When we consider many things that have been happening in recent months, many changes are needed. It is the new kind of wind we are waiting for.  We need to teach about the consequences of right and wrong. Let us not be too quick to point out fingers at others when we are in the wrong. Why do we think that we have the right to shame others when we are guilty? Accountability is for everyone, not just the law enforcement agencies. We need to teach about respect for private and public poverty. There is no way to reconcile the call for justice by being unj...

    Saying the right thing now becomes the most important thing. We have seen a good number of celebrities pledge their alliance with BLM on various social media platforms. We have witnessed Corporate America vows that it will go about business differently. If there is a need for repentance in dealing with racism, it has to go beyond slogans and symbolic gestures. Changes have to be done without the fear of being destroyed or being politically incorrect. Somehow we think that things can be better for us if we seek the destruction of others. That trend of thought actually will keep racism well and alive because people will counter hatred with another form of aggression.  Repentance requires a lot more soul searching and self-awareness than many of us have anticipated. It is about looking at ourselves and name our issues relationally. Racism is more widespread than just in America. Racism is more than just about White vs. Black. I knew about racism as...

    Yesterday was not a very good day for my wife and me. A daughter of a friend of ours went hiking and fell to her death accidentally on Sunday. We met about 20 years ago when she was a university student at the university where I served as Campus Minister. She bacame an avid hiker in recent years.   The most intriguing moment for me yesterday was the fact that I woke up with her face image in my head. I closed my eyes and wondered what that meant. I got up and had a coffee with my wife, and then I told her: "I wonder how ____is doing these days?" My wife let me know that she saw her at her mother's place a few weeks ago. That was it. Neither of us pursued that thought any further until my wife received a phone call to confirm her death. I believe that God speaks to me through visions and images. It was not the first time. They happened most of the time when people's pictures appeared in my mind. I usually would call the person up and check to see...

  I was on the C-train in Calgary a few years back on the way home from downtown. My mind was preoccupied with a conversation I had with a fellow who was about to buy his father's business out. It was intriguing interaction because he had all kinds of ideas about how to take that business to the next level. Suddenly, a young lady with a Parisian French accident appeared and told me (in her beautiful French): "Oh my God! It is you. Do you remember me? We met in Paris last summer". I had absolutely no clue what she was talking about because I was nowhere near Paris the summer before. So I told her: "I think you made a mistake Madame because I was teaching in Calgary last summer". She excused herself, but I had the feeling that she didn't believe me. Why am I sharing this almost funny event with you? I think we have spent our time mistaking who God is (Please understand that I don't infer that I am God in the account). We asked questions such a...