Apostles for Today
August - 2016
Dialogue,
Relations and Cooperation between People of Different Religions with
the Common Purpose of Mercy.
"Go
forth, as missionaries, to bring the message of the Father’s
tenderness, forgiveness and mercy to every man, woman and child”
and follow Jesus’ example “by reaching out to others, in a spirit
of respect and openness, in order to share with them the gift we
ourselves have received.”
(Video
message of Pope Francis for the 51st International Eucharistic
Congress in Cebu City, Philippines)
Every
follower of Christ by Christian vocation is called to live dialogue
in daily life, which is motivated
by the teaching of the Gospel, and shown in human action through
mercy and love of others (Luke 10:27; Rom. 13 9-10). Dialogue is a
significant approach to persons of other faith communities for the
purpose of mutual understanding, cooperation, and transformation. Our
dialogue doesn’t end with meetings and conferences but it is a way
of living out Christian faith in relationship and commitment to those neighbors.
Scripture
gives us many images of neighborliness which extend across
conventional boundaries. In the Old Testament (Genesis 12), we find
God challenging Abram and Sarai to go and live among strangers. In
the New Testament, Jesus breaks convention by speaking with the
Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:6-30) and shows how she can be
reached through dialogue. Speaking with a lawyer (Luke 10:25), Jesus
reminds him that his neighbor, the one to whom he should show love
and compassion, and from whom he may receive grace, may be a
stranger. Today, our Lord's call to neighborliness (Luke 10:27) includes the “strangers” of other faith traditions who live in
our towns and cities.
Testimony
of Relations and Cooperation with other religions:
At
this juncture, I would like to share something of my life experience
of working with people of other faiths for the common purpose of
mercy.
In
my 30 years of Consecrated Life, I have been sent to different states
of India on mission. Without realising the challenges, I was ready to
accept the task entrusted to me by my Congregation. Though I come
from a very strong Catholic background, it is here in my ministry
that I have discovered my vocation is to give witness to the merciful
God in dialogue with the people of different religions.
In
one of the Hindu villages, my congregation proposed beginning the
ministry of taking care of senior citizens, and eventually I was
given the responsibility of constructing a residential building for
this purpose. Before I arrived at the place, I was warned about the
danger of wearing a religious habit which is not accepted by Hindu
fundamentalists in the village. But I was not discouraged or anxious
but, rather, was determined to pursue my work from the beginning
clothed in the religious habit. Initially, I faced many obstacles
which caused sleepless nights, fear and doubts within me. Yet, my
trust in the merciful God didn't let this spirit in me die, but
urged me to demonstrate his love through my daily service.
Ultimately,
one rainy morning, as I was walking towards the village, I saw a man
lying under the tree on the water. Though many people passed by no
one reached to help him. As every human being, I too hesitated at
first, but with the encouragement of my co-sister, a nurse by
profession, we lifted the man who was covered with maggots, and
washed him in the presence of many bystanders who were of other
religions.
This
witness of love and mercy towards a Hindu brother transformed the
hearts of many fundamentalists around the village, who came forward
to render their support. Soon the news of good deeds done by two
women of Christ spread around the town. The misconceptions towards a
different faith began to disappear in the hearts of the people. At
this point I realized that this was a God-given opportunity to visit
the families of people of other faiths and take part in their
celebrations. This interaction gradually opened dialogue between us
to deepen our mutual understanding, and to focus on shared concerns
for the common good.
The
most joyful event of Christ’s birth is celebrated in our village
and town with much spectacle. The procession of the live crib is done
together with people of other faith traditions. It is remarkable to
realise how all faiths teach us to love one another, and encourage
building harmony while honouring the integrity of our differences.
Today
there is no longer fear
of hindrance in my ministry.
Most of the workers in our campus are of other religions. We work
together by listening and speaking in openness and respect. Our Home
for Senior Citizens has become a centre of service for the cause of
humanity, where people of other religions become our partners in
spreading Christ’s message of love and mercy to others.
Conclusion
In
this Jubilee Year of Mercy, God is calling us into a new millennium
with its own challenges and opportunities. We need to understand how
the Holy Spirit works among all peoples of the world, especially
among those in other religious traditions. We do not hide our
differences, nor avoid conflicts, but seek to make them constructive.
Thus,
the greater our engagement in interreligious dialogue, the fuller our
respect and trust become, leading us to an increase in cooperation
and common action. Pope John Paul II, on his first visit to India,
said: “Dialogue between members of different religions increases
and deepens mutual respect and paves the way for relationships that
are crucial in solving the problems of human suffering” (Address to
non-Christian leaders, Madras – Chennai, 5 February 1986).
Let
us pray with St. Vincent Pallotti
“My
God, my mercy, I would like to say – but in looking at You in me, I
lose myself; I say little or almost nothing: [...] Work in me, all
the more […]. Since I feel and I believe that in my inconceivably
greater misery, [...] I alone am the creature fit to form the most
specific object of your infinite mercy. In me alone does your
infinite mercy find the capacity to shine, to stand out and to
produce its infinite effects” (OO CC, X, p.313-314).
Sr.
Eugine Nirmala Francis SAC
India
____________________________________________________
Segretariato
Generale, Unione dell’Apostolato Cattolico
Piazza
San Vincenzo Pallotti 204, 00187 Roma, Italia uac@uniopal.org
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