Catholic Commission for Social Justice
Gospel: Luke 13:22-30
Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’
World Humanitarian Day, celebrated on August 19, was designated by the United Nations General Assembly to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq. Since then the day has been used to recognise firstly those who face danger and adversity in order to help others.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: I have just read online from London that on Monday, September 9, the Minister of Finance, Hon Larry Howai, will present T&T’s national budget in Parliament. Last year’s budget was the country’s largest ever, with total expenditure being $58.4 billion compared to $54.6 billion in the 2011/2012 budget. The theme of the 2012- 2013 budget, delivered on October 1, 2012, was: Stimulating Growth, Generating Prosperity. Who is prospering in T&T?
Gospel: Luke 12:49-53
Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
Last week we looked at our role as Catholics in relation to elections and political parties. This week we will reflect on our overall role in steering our country on the right path.
Our newspapers tell us all too well about the many ills in Trinidad and Tobago society, such as the high rate of murder and other crimes, allegations of corruption, sickness, and inadequate access to proper health care. Can we as Catholics in our everyday lives make any difference to our society or in any way assist in addressing these ills, which seem beyond our individual and sometimes collective capacity to address?