To see all things new in Christ

by Morongoa Selepe

The world is and has always been complex. We live in confusing times (crime, war, corruption, etc). Money and power have resulted in globalisation. Although many people are escaping the cycle of poverty, there are still a large number of people living in poverty. Governments and politicians seek ways to remain in control while corruption, mainly from their dealings, keeps things as they are, especially for the poor and marginalised. Fake news is so popular that people are ready to believe anything, especially if it supports their thinking.

The message of Pope Francis in Fratelli tutti is that we are one world; we are brothers, sisters and friends. We often forget that we are related. Globalisation has made us neighbours but not brothers and sisters. “We are more alone than ever in an increasingly massified world that promotes individual interests and weakens the communitarian dimension of life,” said Pope Francis.

The idea of belonging to one family is failing. We are building more walls than bridges. We think, ” Why should I let others in when I have used my resources, strength, sweat, and tears to build?”

As Christians, we need transformation. Lent is the opportune time to examine our lives and the areas of our world that need conversion, and our part in renewing the face of the earth. Our cries of anguish at our situations and our brothers and sisters’ suffering should make us more aware of our need for change.

St. Ignatius Loyola at the Cardoner River and Thomas Merton at the corner of 4th and Walnut, Louisville, in the shopping district centre, suddenly saw everything new. At these different stages and spaces in their lives, St Ignatius and Merton began to see how God sees us as brothers and sisters.

Should we then be all accepting? Should we let all people in? What about those intending to steal, harm, or destroy? Sometimes, we ask this out of fear of the difference that our “said to be” brothers and sisters offer.

Poverty presents us with a challenge to see others as brothers and sisters, especially as people must share limited resources. We need to ask ourselves if resources really are scarce. There shouldn’t be this much poverty around us.

Many of us began Lent yesterday on Ash Wednesday. Lent is a time of preparation. This physical and spiritual journey can become transformative when we ask for that unique and courageous grace to see all things as God sees, the face of the earth and our part in its renewal: the grace to see all things new in Christ.