Towards A Better World

Pope's Message for the 100th World Day of Migrants and Refugees:  Towards a Better World.

Our societies are experiencing, in an unprecedented way, processes of mutual interdependence and interaction on the global level. While not lacking problematic or negative elements, these processes are aimed at improving the living conditions of the human family, not only economically, but politically and culturally as well. Each individual is a part of humanity and with the entire family of peoples, shares the hope of a better future. This consideration inspired the theme I have chosen for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees this year:  Migrants and Refugees: Towards a Better World.

What is involved in the creation of “a better world”? The expression does not allude naively to abstract notions or unattainable ideals; rather, it aims at an authentic and integral development, at efforts to provide dignified living conditions for everyone, at finding just responses to the needs of individuals and families, and at ensuring that God’s gift of creation is respected, safeguarded and cultivated. A better world will come about only if attention is first paid to individuals; if human promotion is integral, taking account of every dimension of the person, including the spiritual.

Migrants and refugees are not pawns on the chessboard of humanity. They are children, women and men who leave or who are forced to leave their homes for various reasons, who share a legitimate desire for knowing and having, but above all for being more. While encouraging the development of a better world, we cannot remain silent about the scandal of poverty in its various forms. Violence, exploitation, discrimination, marginalization, restrictive approaches to fundamental freedoms need to be overcome. Working together for a better world requires that countries help one another, in the spirit of willingness and trust, without raising insurmountable barriers.

Finally, in considering the situation of migrants and refugees, I would point to yet another element in building a better world, the elimination of prejudices and presuppositions in the approach to migration. A change of attitude towards migrants and refugees is needed on the part of everyone, moving away from attitudes of defensiveness and fear, indifferences and marginalisation – all typical of a throwaway culture - towards attitudes based on a culture of encounter, the only culture capable of building a better, more just and fraternal world.

Dear migrants and refugees! Never lose the hope that you too are facing a more secure future, that on your journey you will encounter an outstretched hand, and that you can experience fraternal solidarity and the warmth of friendship! To all of you, and to those who have devoted their lives and their efforts to helping you, I give the assurance of my prayers and I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing.

Pope Francis (5 August 2014)

Yes! No! May Be!

In today’s gospel Jesus tells the parable of two sons who say one thing and do another, (Mt 21:28-32). 

Asked by the father to go and work in the vineyard the first son says no but later reconsiders his decision and does the work. The second son, on the other hand, courteously says yes to the father but fails to do the work. Who actually did what his father wanted? Clearly it is the first son, the same one who had earlier said no to him.

Today’s Gospel story was meant to shock people who think they're okay spiritually but do not honestly examine how well they do the Father's will. Jesus said that tax collectors and prostitutes were entering the kingdom of God ahead of religious experts!

This text is about how our words match our actions when it comes to obedience to the will of God. It is both our actions and our words that communicate on which side of the fence we are standing whether it be obedient or rebellion.

God doesn't want right answers; he wants righteous actions. God doesn't want dutiful compliance to Church teachings; he wants obedience motivated by love and an enthusiastic attitude of serving in the mission of the Church. 

The Catechetical Sunday (21/9/2014)

Dear Catechism Teachers, Parents and Children,

 

Sunday school is the heart of our parish ministry. Catechism teachers and parents are helping our children to "grow up" in an active faith through the catechism classes and also faith education at home. As inspiring instruments, you have integrated directly in the parish ministry in bringing our kids up in their personal faith and reflecting the very image of God in them. 

This Sunday we celebrate Catechetical Sunday with the theme: "Be Courageous, I Have Conquered the World," (Jn 16:33). 

On this Catechetical Sunday first and foremost, I would like to thank all the Sunday school teachers who have given their precious time to educate our catechism children in their faith education and moral life as well. You are helping our catechism them to grow in steadfast faith and fostering children to be deeply rooted in Christ and its message of love. 

The Church realises the challenges that you face in helping them to overcome hatred in their families and communities and building bridges with love, forgiveness and authentic friendship with each other. You too have been encouraging them through your teaching on Sundays to promote justice, peace, harmony, and better understanding with people of other faiths through inter-religious dialogue and cultural understanding.

Parents, you are the spiritual leaders in your home. Parents, you are the first and primary educators of faith for your child. You have a great role and commitment in the upbringing of your kids spiritually and morally. You have taken great interest till today by sending your kids without fail for Sunday School. Despite all your hectic schedules in your family life, you have tried your very best to make sure your kids go for Sunday class. I believe you are not sending your kids just to achieve the "spiritual graduation" - receiving the sacraments. The important criteria is to help our kids live more religiously and morally in their attitude and grow in the fear of the Lord. 

To my dearest catechism children, do you know that Jesus loves children very much, (cf Matthew 18:2-5). I always admire your great desire in being present every Sunday and you try your very best not to miss any of your class and activity or camp. I do understand you have plenty of home work to catch up on and tuition classes to attend. In spite of these you still have the desire and interest to be present in the class. At times your Catechism class may seem boring and the topics are not relevant to you. At time your teachers are not up to your level of thinking. Do you know that most of the greatest wisdom and insights often come from you and not even from your teachers and parents?

Let us not judge those parents who are not making an effort to send their kids for religious and moral studies every weekend. Let us pray for them so that one day they may realise the great efforts and concern that the Church takes upon their children. The Church hopes that you will be excited to see your sons and daughters embracing his/her faith and celebrate this God-given faith life in a more dynamic way. 

Parents and teachers, we need to model authenticity with our catechism children. Our faith needs to be real to our parish and family. Let us help our children “grow up” in an active faith. My prayer for all of us on this catechetical Sunday is that God will offend our minds in order to get to our hearts.

During my one week silent retreat, I was thinking of what to say to the catechism children, teachers and parents on the Catechetical Sunday and this song inspired me very much. Let us sing together:

Title of Song: Children of God 

(hymn book: Sing Your Praise to God - pg B18)

1. We are children of the Lord,

    Gathered here to pray together,

    We are one within His love,

    This we know we’re certain of.

2. Father, hear the song we sing,

    As we bring our world before you, 

    Soon your word will sow the seed,

    Sow your strength within our need.

3. Sing, O children to the Lord,

    All the world is hushed and waiting,

    As we lift our hearts above,

    Simply living in His love.

Happy Catechetical Sunday to my dear teachers, parents and students.

The Generosity of God

“The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard” speaks of the reward or payment for one’s labor. The landowner is God. The vineyard is the kingdom.

As we listen to today’s gospel we are tempted to react and share the grumble of the workers who have worked since early morning. In human terms it seems a bit unfair that after slaving all day in the hot sun they got the same pay for their efforts as those were taken on the eleventh hour. If we get too uptight about the injustice of the situation, we miss the point of the story. The parable is not dealing with equal rights for all, or an honest day’s work for honest day’s pay. Its main force is to show the generosity of God in throwing open the doors of the Kingdom of Heaven to all sinners – you and I on equal.

This gospel fills us with an inspiring image of God’s generosity, His gracious and forgiving who love for us no bounds and whose mercy extends to those who have worked all their lives in the service of God. We cannot explain His generosity, but one is certain – God’s way are not our ways.

It is not for us to judge anyone. That’s the Lord privilege. Our task is to continue labouring in His vineyard.

The Mystery of the Holy Cross

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

By His Cross we are saved. The Cross has become a source of life, pardon, mercy, a sign of reconciliation and peace. ‘In order to be healed from sin, gaze upon Christ crucified!’ said Saint Augustine.

By raising our eyes towards the Crucified one, we adore Him who came to take upon Himself the sin of the world and to give us eternal life.

“The Gospel for this feast reminds us of the meaning of this great mystery of the Holy Cross: God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that men might be saved (John 3:16). 

The Gospel reading tells us that Jesus came down from heaven. That's humility! Would you leave the comforts of heavenly perfection to enter into the bad?

Our psalm response tells us: “Do not forget the works of the Lord!” Today’s feast helps us to remember, not forget, the mighty work of God on the Cross. Our possible response: “We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You, because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.”