COVID era kids

     It sure seems to me that the kids in school right now are somewhat less socially acclimated than previous classes. Why is that? Well for one they have not had a "normal" school year in about two years! COVID closed everything down and when education did get back going it was from home, online. Think about all the social gatherings and trips and things that didn't happen during that time. A lot of socialization was missed while the kids were still aging at the same rate as always. They aren't quite feral but definitely different. And how could they NOT be? This whole pandemic has been stressful and scary. It is going to take a while to get society back to normal, whatever the new normal is. 

    This is an opportunity for catechists! We have just what these kids can use to help them get back on track, to understand that they have to treat others well and have respect and empathy. What they need is Jesus Christ, whether they know it or not. Effective catechesis, and I mean EFFECTIVE, is what is needed right now. We cannot be anti-social ourselves and preach kindness, because as I have said before kids can smell hypocrisy a mile away. Authentic catechesis includes modeling of behavior and sharing (witnessing) stories wherein the value of Christ-like behavior is made plain in a convincing and real way. Being nice to others and being kind to others feels good because it IS GOOD. It is a case where an "appeal to authority" is legitimate logic, because the authority is Christ! 

    Freedom and independence, so valued in our society (the United States) do not carry with them the expectation that it is "every man for himself" nor the belief that we do not need other people. We are social creatures who in our nation have unparalleled freedom and independence, and in no other country has humanity's free will ever been so prized. But we do definitely need other people! Jesus Christ's message goes hand in hand with free will, with freedom, as we live uninhibited by laws to choose and live out our faith. This is where the independence and self sufficiency learned by kids during COVID has to be tempered with the necessity to operate in a social setting. The Christian message is the perfect way to teach this. Don't be discouraged by kids who are a little rougher than those we have had in the past, they have been through a lot, maybe more than we know. Share the love and peace of Christ with them, and help them to share it with others.