Our hope is in the risen Lord
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Let us not keep our faces bowed to the ground in fear, but raise our eyes to the risen Jesus. His gaze fills us with hope, for it tells us that we are loved unfailingly, and that however much we make a mess of things, his love […]
Conscience formation is spiritual confrontation
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Everyone is a leader of conscience…When our hearts are calm and pure, our wisdom will be unleashed…If all of us follow the guidance of our conscience, we can transform the world and accelerate humanity toward a better future”.—Dr Hong Tao-Tze, president of the Federation of World Peace […]
Spiritual Baptist Liberation Day Greeting
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI I share hereunder a speech I delivered in London at a Thanksgiving Service organised by my now deceased friend, Rev Patricia Stephens, in London in 2011: Good afternoon my brothers and sisters. It is indeed a pleasure for me to be able to join you as we […]
In times of crisis, stock up on compassion
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Our human compassion binds us the one to the other – not in pity or patronisingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future”—Nelson Mandela. Mandela’s words came to mind as I watched images of elderly persons […]
Forced sterilisation and women’s rights
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere!” (Martin Luther King Jr.) As I watched a programme on TV in London recently, on forced sterilisation of several black women in South Africa, the words of Frederick Douglass came to mind and filled me with a rage for […]
Justice for those on the margins
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI During this third Sunday in Lent, I want you to sit with your Bible and read today’s gospel: John 4:5–42 – The Saviour of the world revealed to the Samaritans. If you want to deepen your spirituality, get together with your family and friends and engage in Lectio […]
Conversion and reconciliation during Lent
Pope Francis receives ashes from Cardinal Jozef Tomko as he celebrates Ash Wednesday Mass at the Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome, February 26. (CNS photo/Cristian Gennari, pool) By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI The theme of Pope Francis’ Message for Lent 2020 is: We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled […]
Know God to conquer temptation
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Lent is the path of the people of God toward Easter, a path of conversion, of fighting evil with the weapons of prayer, fasting and works of charity.” (Pope Francis) Today, the first Sunday of Lent, we focus in the gospel on the devil’s temptation of Jesus […]
Striving to be virtuous
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI As thousands prepare to ‘play’ themselves over the next two days of Carnival, CCSJ urges citizens and visitors to our blessed T&T to exercise self-control and modesty in dress and behaviour during this Carnival season. A lack of modesty creates a fertile ground for individuals to rid themselves […]
Shining our light
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Our life spreads light when it is given in service. The secret of joy is living to serve” – Pope Francis. Much has been written about today’s gospel—Matthew 5:13–16. We are called to be salt of the earth and light of the world. Pope Francis reminded youths at […]
