Catholic Commission for Social Justice
“…the Holy Spirit has been poured out upon humanity like a vast torrent of grace” (Pope Francis).
Today’s Gospel reading on Pentecost Sunday (Jn 20: 9–23) should inspire us to open our hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to empower us to go out from our comfort zones and live our faith in the market places. Jesus’ words to his disciples apply to all of us: “Peace be with you…As the Father has sent me, even so I send you… Receive the Holy Spirit” (Jn 20:21–22).
Kindness matters! In the Letter of St Paul to the Colossians we read: “…you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience” (Col 3:12).
Kindness is a virtue that is sorely lacking in the lives of so many. It was St Teresa who said: “Three things in human life are important; the first is to be kind, the second is to be kind, and the third is to be kind.” Remember that God, with undeserved kindness, redeemed us by sending His Son to die for us. Our Scriptures are replete with examples that show us that Christ is our model of kindness.
The world observed International Day of Families last Monday (May 15). The United Nations stated that the theme this year, Families, education and well-being focused on “the role of families and family-oriented policies in promoting education and overall well-being of their members. In particular, the Day is to raise awareness of the role of families in promoting early childhood education and lifelong learning opportunities for children and youth”.
On Saturday, April 22, I chaired a forum on Domestic Violence (DV), held at Holy Trinity RC Pastoral Centre and organised by Hazel Thompson-Ahye, attorney-at-law, mediator and child rights advocate. Fr Dexter Brereton CSSp, parish priest, opened the session with prayer.
Speakers at the forum were: Thompson-Ahye; Anna Maria Mora, Educator and Counselling Psychologist; Mme Justice Halcyon Yorke-Young, temporary judge of the Family Court of T&T; and Corporal Curtis Price, Community Police Officer.
DV has many dimensions. It is a pervasive community problem that impacts all of us. It diminishes and dehumanises each of us and takes place here and across the world – in every parish, community, economic class, ethnic group, age group, occupation, culture and religion.
“I ask the Lord that we Christians, and our brothers and sisters of other religions and every man and woman of good will, cry out forcefully: violence and war are never the way to peace. May the noise of weapons cease! War is always a defeat for humanity.“ – Pope Francis.
These words were uttered by Pope Francis who led a Prayer Vigil for Peace in St Peter’s Square on September 7, 2013. Deacon Tom Cornell reported that the Holy Father denounced those who are “captivated by the idols of dominion and power” to destroy God’s creation through war.
Our Church has always been on the side of peace. Indeed, the promotion of peace and disarmament is a key social justice principle grounded on respect for life and the dignity of the human person. As followers of the Prince of Peace, we are all called to be peacemakers.