Fr. Carlo Di Sopra sx
Reflection on the XXII Sunday in Ordinary Time by Fr. Carlo Di Sopra sx
Joy is the characteristic of the Christians, a fruit of the Holy Spirit received in baptism. The presence of Jesus is always a source of joy, Mary experienced it from the beginning, when it was announced to her that she would be his Mother, John the Baptist felt that joy even before he was born. Jesus rejoiced many times in his life, certainly for his family, for his unfailing contact with the Father, and also for the beauty of his ministry, like when he noticed how the simple people were able to understand the Kingdom of God.
It happens to us, too! How many times in fact we return from Church with joy and peace in our hearts, or how many time we feel this joy when we experience the closeness of the Lord, when we are able to do some good to someone in need or when we feel inside that God is there with us! Yes, many times indeed.
This year we Xaverians in Sierra Leone experience a particular joy because we celebrate the seventy years of our presence in the Country. We look back at the beginning of these years, and remember those whom we call the four pioneers, Frs. Azzolini, (who became the first bishop), Calza, Olivani and Stefani. They arrived in July1950, and see how many worked with them and still work today to fulfil the mandate of Jesus to announce the Good News to those who had no knowledge of it. See how many parishes and communities have grown all over the North of the country through their ministry and that of their successors; see how many good Christians we see around now! This is a real reason to rejoice because it is the Lord who has done such great things. You all who hear this are invited to join us in giving praise to God.
Today's readings of the Mass however seem to run on a different note. Jeremiah complains with God that he has seduced him to carry out a hard and unsatisfactory job; he, Jeremiah, found opposition from all corners to the message entrusted to him. Enemies and threats everywhere! This was not according to his character! In the gospel, Jesus too, aware of his approaching death, starts talking about the cross and the accompanying sufferings and trials the that disciples would surely encounter. He told them to be ready for a hard choice.
And indeed the disciples encountered sufferings and trials!
The Xaverian Fathers did not face a different lot during these past seventy years. Big and small crosses. I remember our pain during the war when seeing the communities scattered, the destruction of so many efforts made, the disappointment when seeing among the violent people some of our baptised brothers. The epidemics, the divisions in the Church... The pain when receiving the news that fellow Christians are not following the teaching of the Gospel in the practice of their family life, or in the place of work, and so adopting instead the mentality of the prevailing ‘system’. It is painful when somebody for whom you struggled leaves the church or simply turns back to the old ways. In those moments you feel closer to the situation of Jeremiah: "Lord, you promised to be with me, close to me, but look how many disappointments!" Then we remember the Cross: there is no conversion, no new life, without the shedding of blood. And even those difficult moments become a source of inner joy, with the certainty of the closeness of the Lord.
Reflection on the XXII Sunday in Ordinary Time by Fr. Carlo Di Sopra sx
Joy is the characteristic of the Christians, a fruit of the Holy Spirit received in baptism. The presence of Jesus is always a source of joy, Mary experienced it from the beginning, when it was announced to her that she would be his Mother, John the Baptist felt that joy even before he was born. Jesus rejoiced many times in his life, certainly for his family, for his unfailing contact with the Father, and also for the beauty of his ministry, like when he noticed how the simple people were able to understand the Kingdom of God.
It happens to us, too! How many times in fact we return from Church with joy and peace in our hearts, or how many time we feel this joy when we experience the closeness of the Lord, when we are able to do some good to someone in need or when we feel inside that God is there with us! Yes, many times indeed.
This year we Xaverians in Sierra Leone experience a particular joy because we celebrate the seventy years of our presence in the Country. We look back at the beginning of these years, and remember those whom we call the four pioneers, Frs. Azzolini, (who became the first bishop), Calza, Olivani and Stefani. They arrived in July1950, and see how many worked with them and still work today to fulfil the mandate of Jesus to announce the Good News to those who had no knowledge of it. See how many parishes and communities have grown all over the North of the country through their ministry and that of their successors; see how many good Christians we see around now! This is a real reason to rejoice because it is the Lord who has done such great things. You all who hear this are invited to join us in giving praise to God.
Today's readings of the Mass however seem to run on a different note. Jeremiah complains with God that he has seduced him to carry out a hard and unsatisfactory job; he, Jeremiah, found opposition from all corners to the message entrusted to him. Enemies and threats everywhere! This was not according to his character! In the gospel, Jesus too, aware of his approaching death, starts talking about the cross and the accompanying sufferings and trials the that disciples would surely encounter. He told them to be ready for a hard choice.
And indeed the disciples encountered sufferings and trials!
The Xaverian Fathers did not face a different lot during these past seventy years. Big and small crosses. I remember our pain during the war when seeing the communities scattered, the destruction of so many efforts made, the disappointment when seeing among the violent people some of our baptised brothers. The epidemics, the divisions in the Church... The pain when receiving the news that fellow Christians are not following the teaching of the Gospel in the practice of their family life, or in the place of work, and so adopting instead the mentality of the prevailing ‘system’. It is painful when somebody for whom you struggled leaves the church or simply turns back to the old ways. In those moments you feel closer to the situation of Jeremiah: "Lord, you promised to be with me, close to me, but look how many disappointments!" Then we remember the Cross: there is no conversion, no new life, without the shedding of blood. And even those difficult moments become a source of inner joy, with the certainty of the closeness of the Lord.