by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice
On this last Sunday of the year, let us reflect on how we have developed over the past year. Ask yourself: During 2010, how have I developed each dimension of myself e.g. spiritual, moral, social, cultural, physical, and mental? What have I done to promote integral human development among members of my family/the wider community?
Just before Christmas, a teacher from one of our Catholic secondary schools brought about 15 carrier bags full of toiletries donated by students to be taken to women in prison. While we must care for the victims of crime, we must never forget those in prison (Matthew 25:36).
During 2010, did you feed the hungry; give drink to the thirsty; welcome the stranger; clothed the naked; visit the sick and those in prison? As Jesus said: “…in so far as you neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you neglected to do it to me” (Matthew 25:45).
Today’s first reading (Col 3:12-21) outlines general rules of Christian behaviour. We are reminded in Colossians that we are God’s saints; he loves us and we should clothe ourselves “in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience…Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete them, put on love…”
This reading will also help us as we think about our New Year Resolutions: “…never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col 3:17).
If we draw closer to Jesus and try to live as He lived, we stand a better chance of achieving our goals. Our communities are too closed in on themselves. It’s time to open up to Jesus and to each other. Winston, this is a good title for a hymn for the Youth Explosion on January 15. Life is about relationships. During this Christmas season, let us strive to build better interpersonal relationships in our homes, our parishes, our communities, our schools, our workplaces, our Government, our country, our world.
Discipleship requires commitment to follow in Christ’s footsteps. This is not an easy task, but just knowing that He journeys with us, gives us strength. On the door of my office at Archbishop’s House, I stuck a poster with the words of Thomas Merton: “The Advent mystery is the beginning of the end of all in us that is not yet Christ.” The poster became a topic of conversation. When we reflect on these words and the following by William Arthur Ward, we realise that as we enter a new year, we can try to make a fresh start:
“This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest…
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!
I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!”
Today’s first reading reminds us to sing: “with gratitude in your hearts, sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God.” As 2011 approaches, let us commit ourselves to live our faith in word and deed and strive to be visible, credible signs of the living Christ. Let us do as Pope Benedict XVI has said and “become ever more conscious of (our) dignity as a priestly people, called to consecrate the world to God through lives of faith and holiness.”
CCSJ would like to take this opportunity to congratulate those who completed the Social Justice online course with the University of Dayton (facilitated by CREDI). We will be calling on you to assist us in the parishes/Vicariates in which you live.
The next Social Justice Certificate Programme – an 8-module course – commences on January 23. We will be advertising this course in the Catholic News on January 2 and 9, 2011, so look out for the ad. If we are to develop a spirituality of justice in our Archdiocese, we must develop our knowledge about social justice issues so that we can see-judge-act from a Catholic perspective. You can register for the course now – see our website: www.rcsocialjusticett.org or ring Marcia Faustin-Walker at CREDI on 299-1049 for registration and further information.
