A Great Day for Science and Humanity

 

 

How exciting that a vaccine has been produced which looks very likely to make a huge difference in dealing with the Covid-19 virus. I really welcome it, for we need it desperately. A remedy for the high death rate and the disruption of life and work is sorely needed. It may well be what we have been hoping and praying for.

 

The announcement of a vaccine which protects at least 90% of people was greeted with jubilation, and hailed as “A great day for science and humanity”. The papers speak of hope, of “One Small Jab for Man - of Our little bottle of hope - The World Celebrates - Life could return to normal by spring.” What a shame we aren’t allowed to get together to celebrate! Soon, we trust.

 

Our Government has also sounded a note of caution. Certainly we need to remain vigilant for the coming months. The vaccine has yet to be finally approved. But how marvellous that we seem to be very close to a cure for this global epidemic.

 

When I heard the phrase “A great day for science and humanity” I did wonder a little about how the vaccine will be used. We have a way of inventing things which end up causing other problems, such as energy use which causes climate change. It does look good on the scientific front, but what about humanity? I imagine the word was used as a noun, but it can be used as a verb too: will it lead to acting in a humanitarian way? 

I wonder what will happen to people across the world in poorer nations who cannot readily access or afford the vaccine. After all, there is already enough 
money and resource to reach out globally to the needy for their food and health needs, but it doesn’t happen very much. Can we learn to not only look after ourselves (important as that is) but to care for all who are suffering and needy, to learn to be Good Samaritans?

 

 

Heavenly Father, we rejoice that people have been blessed with inventiveness and we have been able to find a remedy for our present ills. We pray that we may learn to truly care for all who are in need, for all humanity, with a global vision of cooperation. Forgive, we ask, the sins which beset us when we are selfish, thoughtless or uncaring and lead us to embrace the ways of peace and love. We pray this in the name of our Saviour who died to take away the sins of the world, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen