by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI
“Be faithful to the Spirit, to proclaim Jesus with our lives, through our witness and our words.“ – (Pope Francis )
Today, as we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, which is sometimes called “the birthday of our Church”, let us thank God for His gift of the Holy Spirit. As we seek to deepen our Faith during the Year of Faith, let us reflect on the many ways in which the gifts of the Holy Spirit can assist us as we strive to fulfil our vocation to live holy, virtuous lives as Christians.
The leaflet: This is our Faith, which Sr Juliet Rajah has circulated widely for use during the implementation of the Archdiocese’s Second Pastoral Priority: Revitalising Catholic Culture and Identity, lists the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Courage, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord.
In my article last week, I referred to former President George Maxwell Richards bemoaning the fact that as a people we are not all that we could be. Can you imagine what great things we could achieve if we strive to realise our potential? As St Catherine of Siena said: “If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze”
It is time we act on the words of Blessed John Paul II who sought to encourage us when he said:“Do not be satisfied with mediocrity”. If we are to be true witnesses to our Faith, we must embrace Paul’s words to Timothy (2 Tim 1:6): “Fan into flame the gift of God which is in you.”
The Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, is there to guide us in all our endeavours. Let’s fan the flames and open our hearts to Him. Our Catechism tells us: “Knowledge of faith is possible only in the Holy Spirit: to be in touch with Christ, we must first have been touched by the Holy Spirit. He comes to meet us and kindle faith in us.” (CCC, 638)
The Holy Spirit which descended upon the Apostles on Pentecost, would have assisted them as they went forth on their mission to preach the Gospel to all nations. We too are called to proclaim the Gospel to all in today’s troubled world. But to do so effectively, we must be true witnesses to our faith. As Pope Paul VI said: “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and when he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.”
If the flame of Pentecost is burning within us, we will work tirelessly to bring about a New World Order based on the pillars of peace: truth, love, justice, freedom and forgiveness; if we are to build the Civilisation of Love, we must respond to the call to radical discipleship; to be a fearless and unified voice to eradicate social injustice in T&T and in the world, a voice infused with Gospel values that will awaken the social conscience of all citizens and create an empowered population so that all can be active participants in bringing about the Kingdom of God here on earth.
I am always calling on the Holy Spirit to inspire me as I engage in social justice work. For example, on Friday, May 10, I attended a National Consultation entitled: “The Future We Want” – organised by the Ministry of Planning and Sustainable Development and the UN System. The workshop focused on 10 thematic areas. I attended the group session on Poverty Eradication and Gender Equality. Needless to say, I needed the Holy Spirit to “fire me up” to address once again, God’s plan for men and women.
In his presentation, Senator Bhoendradatt Tewarie, Minister of Planning and Sustainable Development, rightly recognised the fact that if we are to foster equality and inclusive growth, we need more equitable distribution of wealth across communities. We also need to have clarity about where we are heading. He stated that “silo” functioning of institutions in T&T, the Caribbean and the Developing world is the single most debilitating factor affecting us. We need integrated planning and integrated implementation if we are to move from operating as “silos” to collaborating for innovation with creativity. Diversification is still a key thrust – but, I ask, when will we realise this goal?
In my group I expressed my concern that a handout we received stated that TT& has met our target for Goal 2 of the Millennium Development Goals (Achieve Universal Primary and Secondary Education) and Goal 8. Let’s be honest, we know that just because free education is available in T&T, it is not necessarily accessible to all – for a variety of reasons.
Catholics have a role to play in promoting a national agenda for human development. Come Holy Spirit, fill us with passion for the task ahead.
