I would like to draw your attention to the Calendar of Events for Respect for Life Week (RFLW) (Sept 24– Oct 3) published in today’s issue of Catholic News. CCSJ would like to thank all those who have come together from various archdiocesan departments and from other faith communities to assist us in planning these events. We call on all people of goodwill to join us in this initiative.
Today’s Gospel (Luke 14:25-33) is appropriate as we focus on threats to life and opportunities to build a culture of life in T&T and in the world. Luke reminds us of the cost of being a disciple of Jesus: “Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”
In local parlance, discipleship eh easy. Notice the words Jesus uses. We must carry our own cross. This implies that discipleship involves some kind of pain and/or suffering. As Fr Roger Landry says: “There are many Christians today, …. who seem to behave as if Jesus said, ‘Pick up your pillow, pick up your warm blanket, and follow me.’
“Jesus talked about the CROSS, and he did so BEFORE his crucifixion… the point in carrying the Cross each day is so that WE MIGHT DIE, die to ourselves, so that Jesus might LIVE. Do we pick up this Cross each day? What does it look like? Do we allow ourselves to die to ourselves, to our egos, to our own will, or do we fight against it with an increased pride and individuality?”
If we are to “come after” Jesus we must actively seek Him – all the time. We can’t afford to be armchair Catholics or part-time Catholics. We must take up the challenge to move out of our comfort zones; to be doers of the Word, not hearers only.
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Too often people read this section in Luke and misunderstand Jesus’ words. At the heart of what Jesus is saying to us is that God must be at the centre of our lives; he must come first; we must strive to be like Him in thought, word and deed. We will never be able to build a culture of life or have genuine respect for ALL life if we do not develop our relationship with God. It is love of God that will help us to love our neighbour and to care for His creation. As we plan events to observe RFLW, let us remember that the primary capital to be safeguarded and valued is the human person in his or her integrity, and that, as Pope Benedict XVI says, “…respect for life cannot be detached from all other matters of social justice and human development.”
If we are to build a culture of life we cannot afford to be silent in the face of injustice and attacks on human life/dignity such as: crime and violence, social exclusion, unjust wars, religious intolerance, euthanasia, torture, subhuman living conditions, incest, domestic violence, pornography, arbitrary imprisonment, slavery, prostitution, human trafficking, abortion, the death penalty, disgraceful working conditions, child labour, forced labour and forced migration, racism, sexism, class bias.
And, as Pope John Paul II reminds us: “Respect for life and for the dignity of the human person extends also to the rest of Creation.” We have one home – planet Earth, which God has given to us as a gift. Let us care for it.
Over the next few weeks, ask yourself: “How do I respect myself and others in my community? How do I respect my environment? How does being a disciple of Jesus lead me to protect, defend and enhance life at all stages and in all circumstances – from conception to natural death? How am I using my time, talent and treasure to promote a culture of life in my home, my community, T&T, the world? What am I/my parish planning to do to observe Respect for Life Week?
Join us in prayer and action so that RFLW will be successful. The demands of discipleship are great indeed. May Our Lady, a true disciple of Jesus, intercede for us that we may be faithful witnesses to the Gospel of Life.
