By Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Baguio City Public Market consumers practice social distancing. (photo by Jean Nicole Cortes)

One of the things that we can hear nowadays is the phrase “The New Normal.” In other words, this will be our new normal. This includes wearing of masks in public places, having a travel pass wherever you go, social or physical distancing, daily disinfection, taking vitamins, and many others. The way of life in the last 10 years has been and will be drastically changed.

For Christians, what is the new normal? Actually, and let this sink in our hearts and minds — being a Christian, accepting Jesus Christ in our lives, has been and will always result in a new normal.

Why is this so?

First, the normal thing in this world is to be selfish.

It is ingrained in our nature to be selfish. This is the consequence of a fallen world. We always think of ourselves only, and how we can take advantage of the situation. And this continues to be the situation even in the midst of a pandemic. There are still hoarders, exploitative business practices like overpricing, and rumors of corruption.

But if you have Jesus Christ in your life, the new normal for you is not to be selfish but to be selfless. You now bear each other’s burden. You now love your neighbor as you love yourself. You now take care of others.

In reality, you can see in history that the first hospitals and first universities were established by Christians.

So as Christians, let us think of the new life, the new normal that we have because we have Jesus Christ in our lives.

Second, the normal thing in this world is to exercise your freedom and forget about your moral responsibility.

We are to be reminded that the concept of justice and moral obligation comes from the Bible. All laws in this world can find its way to the Ten Commandments.

If you do not believe in God, then you are not bound by ethics and morality found in the Bible. You can do what you want and just be subject to the laws of the land. But if you profess to be a Christian, you are bound to much more.

Like what Jesus said, the Roman law states that a subject can be compelled to walk one mile with a Roman citizen. But Jesus said, “walk the extra mile.” The Bible has a lot of “extra mile” commands. You may start reading Matthew chapters 5 to 7 for the commands of Jesus.

So, as a Christian, we have been living a new normal already. Let us continue to be examples of what it means to live a Christ-like life. Let us abide by the guidelines set forth by our government but more than that, let us not forget to live out the guidelines set forth by the Lord Jesus Christ!