World Mission Sunday

This World Mission Sunday I want to reflect on a question. What does the world need Now? And what then is our message to the world as we near the completion of the first quarter of the 21st century? We live in a globalized world that is uniquely interconnected in ways unlike any other century. Technology, modernization, transportation and media link us together in such ways that we are dependent upon one another. We truly need one another.

Although the beauty and gift of globalization offers a deeper opportunity for solidarity and mutuality, our world, nation and society is also more divided. We are plagued by greed, nationalism, classism and racism and much more. The poor, the immigrant and those on the peripheries are used and weaponized for political power and gain. From shipping them off by plane, or bussing across the nation without regard for their humanity and arresting them in their confusion as they leave the penal system unclear regarding their right being restored to vote. Even what is set aside for the poor, suffering and most in need is stolen by those in power for greed or personal interests. This is outrageous and outlandish behavior that should not belong to our society, yet it does. Lies replace truth and it is preferred!, embraced and regurgitated to many who welcome it with open arms and hearts. The very regurgitation is again consumed to embolden others, enrich them to continue to live lives fed and nurtured with untruth and grow in disillusionment. The very lie is that there are some who don’t matter and don’t have a place and are not wanted. Ship them out or lock them up, put them away because they are seen as not of value, nor worth saving. The outcast, the different the other who doesn’t look like me, believe nor love like others says they should.

“We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. By receiving g what we have been given as Gods great gift. Care for the earth  is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are  called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with  all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and  ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.”. National Council Catholic Bishops.

Creation is not only groaning at the complete disregard and lack of respect and care but we’ve failed to show it and it is fighting back with a vengeance with bigger and stronger storms, floods, drought and fires. As we are called to care for creation new and creative ways of addressing climate change must be taken and we must muster the willingness to save mother earth and work to turn back the tide of destruction.

So to our question: What does the world need Now? I believe that our world and those most effected by the greed of those who simply want power for personal gain, must be transformed. To those on the margins, the poor and disenfranchised what can we say and do to lift them up? Those who are more likely to experience the blunt of disaster and be forgotten and under served what is our message? I believe the Word of God gives Hope to a troubled world that the Lord has not forgotten His people nor has He forgotten His creation. God has not spoken God’s last word to His creation.

Sirach, “The LORD is a God of justice, he hears the cry of the oppressed. The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan,
 nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint.
 The one who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens.”The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds;”

Through our prayer for the Spirit that we are guided toward true justice. Not playing to the powerful who only want to control and not serve and who are corrupted by their consumption of deceit, and the harlotry of morality and the absence of goodness and proper resolve to see in the other, fellow citizen or church attendee, not my enemy but my friend. More than a friend the other, the different the stranger is my brother or sister and my responsibility to care for and regard with respect.

When Roberts Rules take presidency over and above the good of others and mercy and love is forgotten. Rules and rubrics over and elevated above the common decency by with which a brother or sister should be treated personally. Their context, their struggle and their pain must be valued and recognized as having the capacity to contribute to the cause for building up those who are broken to create a church, a society a world where not only do they have a voice but they sit at the table of self determination and actualization.