[stephenkhoo]

Monday, 28 November, 2011, 1st Week of Advent
HOPE FOR GLOBAL PEACE AND UNITY

SCRIPTURE READINGS: ISA 2:1-5; MT 8:5-11

More than anything else, the world is seeking for peace and unity. Nothing is desired as much as peace. This is because there can be no happiness unless there is peace within us and without. However the world is so fragmented in spite of globalization. One would think that with all the modern means of communication, there will be greater mutual understanding among humanity. Ironically, with advanced communication tools, we have become impersonal in the way we communicate with each other. Not only is the world divided, the real division is present in our homes and in us. As a consequence, we bring this division into our work-place and society at large. It is in this light that we too yearn with the Israelites for a day when there will be world peace.

Today, in the first reading, we have this grandiose vision of world peace and unity based on a common faith. Indeed, Isaiah prophesied that there would be no more fighting and wars, for all the nations and peoples without number will go to the mountain of the Temple of the Lord saying, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the Temple of the God of Jacob that he may teach us his ways so that we may walk in his paths; since the Law will go out from Jerusalem.” Is this vision too bold? Is it realistic to believe that a day will come as the prophet said, when they “will hammer their swords into ploughshares, their spears into sickles. Nation will not lift sword against nation, there will be no more training for war.” Is it too far-fetched to hope that there can be world unity in faith, even for the people of Israel when the Temple’s rules would not permit non-Jews to worship there? Indeed, during this season of Advent, we pray for a season of hope and expectancy, that there will be world peace and unity. However, is it possible?

Today, the gospel gives us hope and a glimpse of the future. We see the breaking down of barriers, for we read about what the centurion, a man of high nobility, would do so as to find help for his slave. By not seeing his slave simply as someone who had no dignity, he has removed the social barrier that separates humanity from each other. Indeed, much division is caused by man setting up barriers against each other because of race, language, religion and social status in society. Regardless of our race, language, religion and social status, we are all human beings with a heart that needs love and understanding, and a body that needs food and proper care, especially when one is sick. There is no real difference between one man from another, regardless of our status. All of us have the same basic physical, emotional, affective and spiritual needs. The centurion, in spite of his high social standing, never forgot about this in his regard for his slave. He must have been a very humble officer and a compassionate one.

How many of us would go as far as the centurion did in looking for help if our domestic helper or worker is sick or in trouble? Most of the time, we do not feel with our subordinates at work or even family members. When they are sick, we tend to think that they are lazy in coming to work! But when we are sick, we want everyone to understand and feel with us, especially when we cannot be present to do our duties. Indeed, if only we learn to feel with every man and woman, that their desires, pains and aspirations are also ours, then we would not hurt our fellowmen, to say or do things that destroy their dignity or discourage them. By beginning with ourselves, we will learn how to love others. As the axiom says, “Do unto others what you would like them to do unto you”.

Secondly, we are also told that the centurion, a gentile and pagan, would approach Jesus for help and assistance. His faith overcame all ritualistic barriers set up by men. So much so, Jesus remarked, “I tell you that many will come from the east and west to take their places with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven.” Although he was a non-Jew and he could not come into contact with Jesus, he believed that God would work beyond structures, through Jesus. Although the centurion might not be a Jew, he had greater faith and confidence in Jesus than the Jews themselves. Indeed, this action of the centurion is good food for thought. Although rituals are important and they are the instituted means by which God mediates His grace to us, these are but a means, and not the ends in themselves. Mere performance of rituals alone will not suffice in allowing us to receive the grace of God. We need to have faith in God, who is the giver of all gifts and that He can also go beyond the established means that He has given to the Church. Some of us are more concerned about whether we are observing the rituals and the laws of the Church, than whether our hearts and minds are in union with what we do externally.

By extension, this also gives us some hope that unity in faith is also possible, albeit not a perfect faith in this world. The fact that there are many good people in this world and there many sincere followers of their own religions show that people are searching for God. They are looking for peace and fulfillment too. They know too that peace and joy cannot be found in material things alone but only when they are connected with God. They too, in some degree, have found God in their own lives. That is what the Church always teaches, “Those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience. Nor does Divine Providence deny the helps necessary for salvation to those who, without blame on their part, have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and with His grace strive to live a good life. Whatever good or truth is found amongst them is looked upon by the Church as a preparation for the Gospel. She knows that it is given by Him who enlightens all men so that they may finally have life.” (Constitution Of The Church No 16)

In the same vein, the Church in her declaration on Non-Christian religions, Nostra Aetate says, “Likewise, other religions found everywhere try to counter the restlessness of the human heart, each in its own manner, by proposing “ways”, comprising teachings, rules of life, and sacred rites. The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions. She regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings which, though differing in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men. Indeed, she proclaims, and ever must proclaim Christ “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), in whom men may find the fullness of religious life, in whom God has reconciled all things to Himself.” (NA 4)

Whilst exhorting us to have “dialogue and collaboration with the followers of other religions” so that we can “recognize, preserve and promote the good things, spiritual and moral, as well as the socio-cultural values found among these men”, the Church immediately qualifies this statement by cautioning us that this must be “carried out with prudence and love and in witness to the Christian faith and life.” (NA 2) Unfortunately, many Catholics in their enthusiasm to engage in religious dialogue to promote unity abandon the orthodoxy of their faith and allow practices and syncretistic beliefs from other religions to adulterate our faith. This has caused so much confusion among Catholics as many do not really know what is distinctive about the Catholic Faith; and a result, has been led to false compromises and eventually a loss of fervor for Christ and His Church, as they begin to think that all religions are the same; including the practices of faith, since they all lead to the one God.

Indeed, this is our belief as Christians that Christ is the Saviour and Redeemer of humanity. In Christ, we see the face of God in person. From the perspective of faith, we cannot compromise this truth and should not be afraid to proclaim it as such. Indeed, we are called to proclaim Christ as a Gift of God to all of humanity. Pope John Paul II says, “The Church’s faith in Jesus is a gift received and a gift to be shared; it is the greatest gift which the Church can offer to Asia. Sharing the truth of Jesus Christ with others is the solemn duty of all who have received the gift of faith.” (Church in Asia no 10) “The Second Vatican Council and the Magisterium since then, responding to a certain confusion about the true nature of the Church’s mission, have repeatedly stressed the primacy of the proclamation of Jesus Christ in all evangelizing work. Thus Pope Paul VI explicitly wrote that “there is no true evangelization if the name, the teaching, the life, the promises, the Kingdom and the mystery of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, are not proclaimed”. (ibid 14)

In the final analysis, what brings peace and unity in our homes, at work and in the world is when we walk in the light and in the truth. Divisions are caused by ignorance over what is right and wrong and also the selfishness of the hearts of men. We must continue to pray that all will “go up to the mountain of the Lord”, that is, that all will seek God and His truth. For us Christians, we know that Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. In Him, we receive the Law from God, the guide to the fullness of life. Of course, truth is always expressed in charity, compassion and love. As we begin this season of Advent, let us respond to the invitation of Isaiah to begin this spiritual journey of climbing up the Mountain of God so that “he may teach us his ways so that we may walk in his paths.” In this way, we will “walk in the light of the Lord.” Yes, let us show ourselves to be people of love and peace, without which, no one would believe that Christ is our Saviour.