by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI
During Holy Week, let us reflect on Pope Francis’ message delivered during his inaugural Mass. Inter alia, he reminded us that “… the core of the Christian vocation…is Christ! Let us protect Christ in our lives, so that we can protect others, so that we can protect creation!” He called for the defense of the weakest in society and of the environment, saying that otherwise “the way is opened to destruction and hearts are hardened.”
The hallmark of our new Pope is reflected in the name he took in honour of St Francis of Assisi, who symbolised simplicity, charity, poverty, and love of nature. Pope Francis himself lives these virtues. As we pray for him, let us heed his words to be more merciful and not to be so quick to condemn the failings of others.
Today, Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. As we gaze upon the small palm that we will receive at Mass today – often in the shape of a Cross, let us remember, as the Holy Father has said, that “Palm Sunday tells us that … it is the cross that is the true tree of life.”
As we journey with Christ on His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and through Holy Week, reflecting on His passion and death, let us always keep the Resurrection in the forefront of our minds. Christ is risen! We have already been saved. Let us sing Hosanna to the King of Kings and allow His light to shine in and through us.
This Lenten season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving provide us with an opportunity to put our faith, our love into action. Christ came so that we may have life and have it to the full, yet in our country and in our world there are too many who live on the margins. The negative aspects of globalisation, secularism, moral relativism, individualism and selfishness act like barriers to our efforts to build the civilisation of love.
In his encyclical, Charity in Truth, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI laments that, “As society becomes ever more globalised, it makes us neighbours but does not make us brothers and sisters.” (2011)
Let us pray that God’s love, which He shared with us so readily, will fill us with love for our neighbour – not only in relation to the material, financial, physical, emotional and psychological needs of our neighbour, but also his/her spiritual needs.
Jesus in all humility entered Jerusalem on a donkey. His humility should lead us to demonstrate our compassion for others by showing that we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. We are a very generous people, but are we holding back on our generosity these days?
As we seek to promote Catholic Culture and Identity, let us remember that integral to this second Pastoral Priority is the need for us to share our time, talent and treasure. St Paul said: “We are one body: when one suffers, we all suffer.” All that we have is gift from God, so let us share our gifts freely.
Let us engage in some introspection during Holy Week as to whether or not the many Catholics living in T&T are pulling their weight to promote the dignity of the human person, the sanctity of life and rights and responsibilities; to demonstrate our option for the poor and vulnerable; to build family, community and the common good; to stand in solidarity with those who face injustices; to work to dismantle structural injustices and so on.
If you want some ideas about how you, as an individual, and as a parishioner can work for justice, read the US Bishops’ document: Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish (www.usccb.org). It offers “a basic resource for pastors, parish leaders, and parishioners seeking to strengthen the social ministry of their parish.” The Bishops remind us that:
“The parish is where the Church lives. Parishes are communities of faith, of action, and of hope. They are where the gospel is proclaimed and celebrated, where believers are formed and sent to renew the earth. Parishes are the home of the Christian community; they are the heart of our Church. Parishes are the place where God’s people meet Jesus in word and sacrament and come in touch with the source of the Church’s life… (W)e believe the Church’s social mission is an essential measure of every parish community . . . . We need to build local communities of faith where our social teaching is central, not fringe; where social ministry is integral, not optional; where it is the work of every believer, not just the mission of a few committed people and committees.”
How is your parish working for justice?
