During the recent periods of pandemic lockdown in countries around the world, many have yearned to “get back to normal” as quickly as possible. But as the global wave of protests following the tragic death of George Floyd at the hands of police officers have illustrated, our pre-COVID-19 “normal” is for many a far-from-desirable destination to return to. 

For this and other reasons, many individuals have hoped instead for a radical reset following lockdown, dreaming of “a new normal” that would be more equitable and community-oriented, with us all caring more for one another, for our fellow creatures, and for the global environment. 

I’m sure I haven’t been alone in hankering after both: restoring the treasure trove of time-tested goodness, while going forward with fresh momentum. That combination echoes a point Christ Jesus made in relation to those of his day, such as the scribes, who were steeped in tradition and rules. In their desire to sustain the status quo, they fiercely opposed the healing spirituality preached and proved practical by Christianity’s founder. Yet following an inspired delivery of several parables in which he enjoined his listeners to seek, find, and treasure the kingdom of heaven above all else, Jesus said, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old” (Matthew 13:52, New King James Version).