Go Away – We Are Sleeping
And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence (Lk 11:5-8).
The caravan has arrived (Via Crucis Migrantes). The door is locked. Go away, we are sleeping.
The caravan calls our attention to the desperate situation in El Salvador and Honduras, primarily Honduras.
We have slept through questionable elections, government oppression of their own peoples, economic failures and natural disasters.
The caravan has arrived. The door is locked. Go away, we are sleeping.
Very many fugitives of all ages and every state of life, driven abroad by the disastrous war, cry pitifully to us. They live in exile, under guard, and exposed to disease and all manner of dangers. We are not unaware of the great contributions of public bodies and private citizens to the relief of this stricken multitude; and we, in a continuation of those efforts of charity with which we began our Pontificate, have truly done all in our power to relieve the greatest needs of these millions. But the condition of these exiles is indeed so critical, so unstable that it cannot lot much longer. Therefore, since it is our duty to urge all generous and well-minded souls to relieve as much as possible the wretchedness and want of these exiles, we most earnestly implore those in authority to do justice to all who have been driven far away from homes by the tempest of war and who long above all to live in quiet once more Exsul Familia (EF, quoting his own document Redemptoris Nostri) – Pope Pius XII – 1952.
Thunderstorms
Ever watch a thunderstorm build up in the sky? Some locales make it easier to see than others. I recall in South Dakota how distinctly one can see the storm build sometimes over several hours time. Here in Florida too one can see. If we choose to that is.
He also said to the crowds, “When you see (a) cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does; and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot–and so it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time? (Lk 12:54-56).
Russia bitter at her mistreatment by their account. Eastern Europe shattering anew by authoritarian, sectarian strife made with a Russian carving knife. China reasserting her dominance over all Asia because she can. Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq embroiled in continuous fighting. Africa, east and west, losing its center.
Today is the 6th Sunday of Easter.
When we prayed the office today we said ‘Ever-living God, help us to celebrate our joy in the resurrection of the Lord and to express in our lives the love we celebrate’.
The caravan has arrived. The door is locked. Go away, we are sleeping.
“Remember that nations do not die; humbled and oppressed, they chafe under the yoke imposed upon them, preparing a renewal of the combat, and passing down from generation to generation a mournful heritage of revenge.” Pope Benedict XV, 1920
Choose – Fortress Door or Bread of Peace
Today’s Gospel reading (JN 15:9-17) gives us the divine invitation and divine imperative.
- I no longer call you slaves (to sin and self-interest).
- I have called you friends (my divine friendship is my gift to you, I declare you friends to each other).
- Ask the Father in my name he may give you (the will to open the door, the eyes to see with compassion, the heart to make change).
- This I command you: love one another. (Jn 15, 9-17 annotated).
We can teach peace. We can preach peace. We can talk peace. But I can’t force open the door of your heart. This is for you and you alone to do.
May the Holy Spirit fall upon all who were reading this post.
Have we forgotten the diplomatic, humanitarian, educational focus of prior generations? We have forgotten?
Then a new king, who knew nothing of Joseph, came to power in Egypt. He said to his subjects, “Look how numerous and powerful the Israelite people are growing, more so than we ourselves! Come, let us deal shrewdly with them to stop their increase; otherwise, in time of war they too may join our enemies to fight against us, and so leave our country.” (Ex 1:8-10).
The storm is gathering.
Celebrate Joy. Express Joy. Open the door.
Blessings,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 