From the Director – From Privilege to Pauper

Columban Fr Gary WalkerThe Easter liturgical season extends right through April. What we are celebrating during this time is the fact that Jesus died a death which, far from signalling his end, marked the beginning of his story. Secondly, in the Gospels the post-Resurrection appearances of Christ with the disciples reveal that they had committed themselves to a living Christ and not to the memory of a dead one.

A living Christ still inspires people today. In the Catholic Church we reserve a place for saints, not because we worship idols but because some people exhibit an outstanding commitment to and relationship with Jesus Christ. Such a person was Elizabeth Maria Satoko Kitahara.

Her story is like so many saints. She encountered Christ in the face of the poor whom she discovered quite accidently. Elizabeth may become the first saint of modern times in Japan. She is currently in the process of canonisation.

Elizabeth was a daughter of both privilege and culture in Japan. She trained as a pharmacist and like many civilians endured the bombing of Tokyo during World War II. Like many of her friends Elizabeth felt betrayed by the government and felt a loss hope for the future. In her search for some answers she met by chance Brother Zeno, a Franciscan friar who was dedicated to people who were scavengers in a place called the 'Village of Ants'. During the meeting she was shocked to learn that thousands of people lived in destitution less than a kilometre from her home.

She began to visit the 'Village of Ants' teaching basic education until a smart remark from a bystander made her realise that she did not know or understand a rag picker’s life, because each day she returned to her fine home.

She became a rag picker! She lived and worked among them; perhaps she had a transparency of spirit that allowed her to be seen as some special person (not a "do-gooder") who entered totally into their lives. In her decision to become like them she was imitating Jesus Christ.

Recently Pope Francis invited us to get to know the poor, whoever they are. He asks us to treat them as persons and respect them. He prays that we might learn what they have to teach us. Like Elizabeth we need to find a way to get to know and learn from the poor.

Elizabeth Maria Satoko Kitahara is a wonderful example of a modern day disciple, challenged by difficult circumstances. She belongs to Christ in the same way that the disciples did and the same way that we all belong to him.

Fr Gary Walker SSC
director@columban.org.au

From the Director - Written with a shaky hand  LISTEN TO: From the Director – From Privilege to Pauper
(Duration: 3:13mins. MP3, 1.52MB) 


Read more from the current The Far East

or

Read more articles from the current E-News