A NEW YEAR has just begun. Having endured the suffering caused by the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic (SARS-CoV-2) over the past year, we wonder what awaits in 2021.
In late January last year, the first Covid-19 cases began appearing in Hong Kong, rapidly becoming a matter of alarm and emergency for the local healthcare system. The subsequent evolution of the pandemic has become etched into the shared memory and history of the people of Hong Kong. As 2020 came to an end, the cumulative number of Covid-19 cases had reached over 8,800 with over 8,000 recoveries. Unfortunately however, 148 people died.
The economy has also taken a serious beating and livelihoods have been badly impacted. According to the Quarterly Report on General Household Survey released in late 2020, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the third quarter was 6.4 per cent, totalling over 259,000 unemployed—a new high for the past 16 years. Out of this, those aged 20 to 29 totalled over 78,000, accounting for 30 per cent of the unemployed.
When Pope Francis met with Vatican employees and their families this past December, he acknowledged that the pandemic had caused difficulties and stressed that those who work in the Holy See are very important: “no one is to be left out, no one is to leave work.” The pope urged that all must work together to help solve the problem of unemployment
Work is important because it not only enables people to earn a living but it is also a path that allows people to build a better life.
This year is the Year of St. Joseph. In his apostolic letter, Patris Corde (Father’s heart), Pope Francis wrote about St. Joseph and the meaning of work. The letter said that in these months of pandemic, when employment has once more become a burning social issue, and unemployment at times has reached record levels even in nations that for decades have enjoyed a certain degree of prosperity, there is a renewed need to appreciate the importance of dignified work, of which St. Joseph is an exemplary patron.
Through work we share in God’s ongoing creative act and develop their talents to serve the community. Work can enable self-realisation of individuals and help them support the family. An out-of-work family is especially likely to encounter problems. The relationship with family members tends to become tense. It is essential to guarantee that people lead a dignified life.
The example of St. Joseph reminds us that God became human and does not look down on work. With jobs and livelihoods under threat, we should consider how we regard work and how we should respond to unemployment.
The diocese adopted Parish Renewal as its pastoral theme for the year. One of the major points is to enhance the relationship of parishes with their communities; to reach out to the needy through a better response to unemployment, and paying more attention to the jobless and people who have difficulties in their jobs.
This Sunday, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. As followers of Christ, our everyday lives should testify to the Good News, beginning with renewed parish participation and caring for the needy.
Even a small gesture of love can bring about change. With love and care, we can make a difference through everyday things in our lives. SE
