It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity.”

The opening lines of Charles Dickens’ Tale of Two Cities are as haunting as they are prophetic. Arguably among the most famous intro lines ever written, his novel speaks of a conflict between good and evil, light and darkness. It tells the story of extremes that often accompany our human nature.

With each passing day as we journey through this coronavirus pandemic we see those extremes before us.

When I visit our local Monklands University Hospital in Coatbridge I see that dedicated spirit of good. As part of a chaplaincy team alongside other priests, ministers and leaders of other faiths we give pastoral support to the sick and dying.

I see first-hand the commitment and hard work of our amazing NHS doctors and nurses who work long, relentless shifts without the prospect of relief. I also see the amazing contribution of all the other support staff who keep the machine running smoothly: cleaners, caterers, office staff and administrators who pour out their lives so generously in the service of others.

They are the real heroes of our present crisis, and we must ensure we shine a light on their vital contribution, not only now, but perhaps even more important when our society embraces the new normal.

Our local hospital has been especially generous in ensuring pastoral support is given to families in these unprecedented times. They have also given tremendous support to our spiritual counselling team, with clergy and faith leaders available for a few hours every day to speak with staff and families struggling under the weight of this crisis. It is humbling to hear stories of faith renewed in the midst of such darkness.

I also know staff are finding it heart-wrenching to remain at a distance from dying patients and grieving family members, when every instinct in their body tells them to hug and to console. The instinct to touch and heal is so much part of the care-giving vocation.

For my part a listening ear is all I have to offer to these frontline heroes who simply want to share the stories of their lived experience. Theirs is an enormous cross they bear on behalf of a wounded nation and they deserve our continued prayers, gratitude and applause. When the dust settles I hope our country can find a way of honouring these men and women who have come to our aid.

Closer to home, in my church hall, I witness that manifestation of self-sacrifice each day when I see our 90 strong team of volunteers gather to do their work with our newly founded Coatbridge Stay Connected project.

Our project was set up to support those in our community who would suffer most from the isolation and practical problems that lockdown would inevitably bring to our community. The recent decades have not been kind to Coatbridge; like other pockets throughout Britain many in our community have been marginalised, some feel abandoned, many striving for an opportunity to build a better life.

Coatbridge was once the centre of Scotland’s iron works. It is said the town’s 50 kilns could light up the night sky for miles and miles around. Perhaps it is a spark from these embers of the past but there is a flame burning in my community. A flame that lights these dark, dark days.

That spirit seemed to inspire Coatbridge Stay Connected as a way to reach out to the vulnerable in our community as the coronavirus swept our country.

Since the launch, we have contacted more than 8,000 homes with an offer of help and have provided 70,000 meals. Our growing band of volunteers is just below the hundred, coming from all walks of life and from all denominations.

The scale of need in our community has taken us all by surprise. Over and above the meals we deliver prescriptions and also provide a team to listen and comfort those with no other link to the outside world.

Dickens talked about “the age of foolishness” and we witnessed that foolishness when groups faced wide condemnation with an open air drinks party and the growing suspicion that more and more people are flouting government guidelines. Despite the natural frustration, hopefully those breaching the coronavirus guidelines understand it is selfish and dangerous.

Dickens also talked of “the worst of times” and I see that when I attend the growing number of committals at the graveside or the crematorium. 

The restriction in numbers allowed at funeral committals makes these occasions more distressing than ever. The lack of a funeral Mass is heart-breaking for those who are mourning, and rest assured heart-breaking for clergy.

The best of times, the worst of times. Each of us is witnessing both extremes during this distressing period, but I strongly believe that goodness and Godliness will triumph. The spirit of the NHS and the spirit I see in Stay Connected tells me this is so.

Perhaps we should remind ourselves of the final paragraph in Dickens’ Tale of Two Cities and live in hope: “I see a beautiful city and a brilliant people rising from this abyss. I see the lives for which I lay down my life, peaceful, useful, prosperous and happy. I see that I hold a sanctuary in their hearts, and in the hearts of their descendants, generations hence. It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.”

Michael Kane is Parish Priest of St Augustine’s Church, Coatbridge.