Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Apostles for Today March 2021


        - 
Apostles for Today
         

         March 2021

         
                                            
  

 “THE BODY IS ONE AND HAS MANY MEMBERS, BUT ALL THE MEMBERS, MANY THOUGH THEY ARE,  
                                  ARE ONE BODY; AND SO IT IS WITH CHRIST.”  (1Cor.12:12)  

                                                                              

No man is an  island nor  any one person self-sufficient in his or herself.  God created a world of plurality of  beings each with their own culture, gifts, treasures in their land, uniqueness in their environment, and richness  in their earth.  What a great God to create such a world for each of its unique culture.  

All this beauty could never be known or appreciated if we did not share with one another, through tourism,  technology, dialogue, activities and cultural participation in a country.  Therefore how important it is for us to  acknowledge the diverse cultures that live in our land.  In Central America the Maya culture has an everlasting  impact in our land.  (The creole –African) fill us with dynamic music and folklore.  The Mestizo sprinkle their  exotic dances to the sound of the marimba and in a land of many more cultures the music, the songs the dance  and the language, the creative activities of each culture offer a kaleidoscope of brilliant stars in our land.  In the  midst of all this beauty the infinite love of God draws all together in the uniqueness of the friendliest people In  Central America.  What a good God we have.  

In true dialogue we develop our views as well as contribute to the views of others.  In true dialogue we grow in  respect and appreciation of our own culture and also the diverse cultures that surround us.  In true sharing we  stand in awe at the beauty of others culture. What a great cultural world God created for his children.  Nature  develops, the environment colourfully burst out, and the people of the land become the greatest resources of the  world.  What a great God we serve.  

In true dialogue we develop our confidence and also respect for others ideas.  This allows all cultures to feel  free and realize that there is beauty in all cultures.  If we are not pressured to share or feel less then our inhibition  falls to the ground.  A new life is born, new joy, new activities that help us to continue to love, appreciate and  stand in awe at the beauty of others culture.  

All cultures are unique, special and one of a kind.  Therefore, the solution is not relative to any particular culture  through free discussion and respect one comes to a consensus that is benefial to all.  There is no need for power  struggles whether political or spiritual, whether holistic or egoistic. No one culture,  leader, political  activist,  religious self-righteousness, holds the truth in their power.  The community villages, nation, through discussion  open and sincere come to the realization of truth, love and honesty for their people.  

The world is no longer inhabited by one set of people.  The smallest  countries in the world boast  a variety of  culture that colors the beauty of that country.  In the same manner the diverse cultures create an infinite level of  thinking power, openness, focuses and a high level of reasoning that may not have come from book knowledge  but from survival experiences.  It is to our benefit to cash in on the deep wealth of knowledge that the diverse  cultures bring to our negotiating table discussion, or dialogue.  Let us remember that no one’s, pre mediated  reasoning is automatically correct.  In the midst of open discussion there are certain acceptable values that may  not be accepted by all but in the midst of open discussion even these values will be discussed and  at times  accepted.  In the midst of all this openness let us not forget that the hand of God lead where we cannot see

.  
The dream of a new society where all cultures complement each other and add to the level of government,  education, social gathering, sports, and all other aspects of development of community develop to the point that  we accept and complement each other to the building of a new society of respectable, diverse and cross-cultural  union.  It may take long but in certain small pockets of our historical society the Maya Indian teacher is principal  of their elementary school in their village but why not principal of the leading high school in the main city of  our country?  

In looking at culture let us realize that culture flows through our life like the blood stream in the human person. It colors their way of life, their thinking, their food and in short runs through their whole life and makes them  who they are.  What a beauty it would be if each man and woman would feel culturally accepted, culturally  efficient to dialogue with other cultures, culturally uninhibited   to speak with confidence and boldness in open  discussion.    When  the  cream  of  the  crops  are  melted  and  molded  in  God  a  new  culture  is  created  but  the uniqueness of each person co–exist with each other.  

This new world can only become a reality when we acknowledge, accept and interact with different cultures.  Only when we genuinely interact with acceptance and realization of our differences can we begin to accept and  appreciate one another.  We, then, will begin to accept one another as companions in a journey.  When we work and dialogue together we begin to acknowledge the giftedness of each culture.  When I begin to acknowledge  them, I begin to accept them as my true friends.  

QUESTIONS:  

     1.    Why is it that in certain countries there are certain areas that are provided for the less socially accepted   cultures to settle and build their homes, while others of the upper class are provided more scenic or more  acceptable areas?  
     2.   Can we  honestly say that we accept children of all cultural groups in leading parts of school play or   sports?  
     3.   Do we have open discussion or do we choose who will participate in the discussion?  
     4.   What efforts do we make in offering open discussion in church, or country when important questions  arise?   

PRAYER  
God, Father of each of us and all of us in one you did not hesitate nor   Measure your gifts in the diverse cultures of this world.  Help us to  Manifest and continue to create the manifestation of every culture  
                                 
In the 21st century.  Let us as we each bring our gifts to the service of others.   Touch each one of our cultures as you melt and mold them into the  Kingdom of your love.  AMEN  

  
                                                                                                             Sr. Consuelo Burgos, Belize  
  

  

No comments:

Post a Comment