Many Christian speakers on social media are concerned about the future of Christianity after the pandemic. Once virtual services and group gatherings become a norm and take roots in the faithful’s behaviours, gathering them again inside the Church might be difficult. Compounded with an individualistic and pluralistic atmosphere within the Church, some might find it meaningless to practise faith in the liturgy, by devotions, or within a community, and fall away from the Church. Religion or faith might be reduced to a social media channel or a cable TV station. It might become one option among many forms of entertainment.

Now, this pandemic may push young people farther away from the Church. All catechism classes or faith development programs have been closed indefinitely. I see fewer and fewer families bringing their children for Communion at the parish parking. If non-gathering restrictions go on for a while and the fear for the virus persists for a long time, can we expect our children and grandchildren to ask us to bring them to church when the pandemic is over?

It seems true the Christian faith is in crisis under this pandemic. Or we should rather say that our crisis has now another turn, for this crisis of faith began a long time ago. The decline of church attendance is not news. After WWII and especially since the 1960s, practising Catholics have steadily declined. The number of priestly and religious vocation plummeted. Many religious orders and communities are disappearing. So many local parishes don’t have resident clergy now.

I wonder if you agree with the word ‘crisis’ I used to describe the situation of the Church. I have a reservation to call this situation a crisis. Many of us are indeed in crises of falling into deeper sinfulness in our times’ confusion. But the Christian faith itself never suffers degradation because the Lord is always faithful. I like to call our situation a ‘trial’ or ‘purification’. Or you may view it as God’s chastisement or discipline against our unfaithfulness all these years. The letter to the Hebrews reminds us today, “Beloved, in your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” It continues, “the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises every child whom he accepts. Endure trials for the sake of discipline...Now disciplines seem painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

My brethren, it is time for discipline. Only faithful ones will spiritually survive this pandemic. Keep your ears open to the words of the Lord. Teach your children the faith you received from the Church. Pastors cannot replace you. Let us gather our strength. When we ask for it, the Lord will gladly grant what we need for this trial. It’s not a crisis. It is an opportunity to grow and mature in the Lord.