Gratitude, Injury, and Repair in a Pandemic Age

"Taking a kaleidoscopic approach to the intersection of gratitude, injury, and repair, this collection of essays by a diverse roster of scholars considers themes of illness, trauma, racism, healthcare, politics, sacramentality, and grace in a manner that makes a superior contribution to—and indeed transcends—the genre of pandemic assessment literature. Ethicists, theologians, sociologists, and chaplains will find much to engage herein—as will anyone seeking a fresh means of making sense of the COVID era." — Lucinda Mosher, Director, Master of Arts in Interreligious Studies Program, Hartford International University for Religion and Peace

Scholarly insight and reflection on finding meaning in the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic caused a horrific loss of life and had tremendous, long-lasting psychological effects. Diagnoses of anxiety and mental illness are now at much higher levels than they were in 2019. For believers, the pandemic raised questions about the nature of God, increasing the need for pastoral care and resources to make sense of such a deep disruption. Gratitude, Injury, and Repair in a Pandemic Age presents twelve reflections on the pandemic and its impact from the Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, nonbelieving, and Christian traditions. The chapters offer scholarly insight and rigor while also incorporating personal reflections on what it means to work through such a life-changing event and make meaning in the moments when life confronts us as partial, fragmented, and fragile. This edited volume will be valuable for students and scholars of multiple faith traditions, as well as those engaged in interreligious dialogue and theology.