A recent newspaper editorial headed, “Fete after fete after fete”, appeared on the same day that we read about the tributes paid to the late Marcia Henville who was brutally murdered in her own home, allegedly by someone she knew.
In the midst of our Carnival merry-making, take some time to reflect on the implication of Pope Francis’ Lenten Message for 2015 which has as its theme: “Make your hearts firm” (James 5:8). The Holy Father asks us to reflect on three biblical texts:
- “If one member suffers, all suffer together” (1 Corinthians 12:26) – The Church.
- “Where is your brother?” (Genesis 4:9) – Parishes and Communities.
- “Make your hearts firm!” (James 5:8) – Individual Christians.
For some time now, Pope Francis has been condemning the global indifference towards the pain and suffering of others. For example, during his visit to Lampedusa in July 2013, he highlighted the plight of “immigrants dying at sea, in boats which were vehicles of hope and became vehicles of death”. He shared his distress at the “tragedy” which has become like “a painful thorn in my heart”. He felt “shame” at the plight of those who were suffering and the indifference of the world.
One of the most heartrending statements in Pope Francis’ Lenten Message reads: “Usually, when we are healthy and comfortable, we forget about others (something God the Father never does): we are unconcerned with their problems, their sufferings and the injustices they endure…Our heart grows cold…how greatly I desire that all those places where the Church is present, especially our parishes and our communities, may become islands of mercy in the midst of the sea of indifference!” He reminds us that “A merciful heart does not mean a weak heart. Anyone who wishes to be merciful must have a strong and steadfast heart, closed to the tempter but open to God. A heart which lets itself be pierced by the Spirit so as to bring love along the roads that lead to our brothers and sisters…”
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In a world in which millions are suffering as a result of poverty, wars, social exclusion, human trafficking, slavery, etc., too many people are showing no care or concern – they are apathetic. Our silence/inaction can make us complicit in the various forms of injustice that threaten to overwhelm us. We have a duty, as Catholics, to SEE, JUDGE, and ACT, to be living witnesses to our Faith. Let us move out of our comfort zone and promote a culture of life and solidarity. May the “voice of the prophets…cry out and trouble our conscience”.
Let Pope Francis’ Lenten Message make our hearts firm so that we will act to stop indifference.
As we celebrate Marcia’s life, let us also celebrate the life of dear Maureen Arneaud who passed away on January 18. Maureen was not indifferent to the suffering/needs of others. I am a member of the Social Justice Foundation Board – she was the founder and Director of this NGO. From 2004 – 2007 she worked as CCSJ’s Parish Link Coordinator and her Parish Link reports can be accessed on CCSJ’s website (Reports section). Here are a few extracts from her reports:
“‘No one in our community should be suffering if we can help it!’ These words form the rallying cry of the CCSJ Parish Link programme! A call to service, a response to that part of God’s vision for a Catholic Christian life…‘love one another as I have loved you’.”
“The Parish Link service seeks new ways to be Church, ways that really take into account people’s lives today and the basic goodwill and faith that lies in the heart of every single person… many Catholics do not see service to others as a core part of Catholicism. ‘Treat others kindly’ seems to be the main message with regard to ‘love your neighbour’, but not serve and work for and with – not seek the root causes and do something about them…none of that was instilled in us as young people. We seek to strengthen that today through the Parish Link service…we exhort the inactive Catholics who remain in the pews without getting involved, to take up the challenge to demonstrate love of neighbour through actual service. We exhort them to become community as Christ intended. We seek to promote the Cross as formed by the two axes of faithfulness to God: The vertical up to God, whose grace pours down to us; the horizontal our love of neighbour in Christ, evidenced as service to others.”
It is time to MAKE OUR HEARTS FIRM!
