The 'Word of God' is powerful and life changing. In Advent we heard the 'Word of God' come to John in the wilderness’ (Lk 3:2) and he began a ministry of preaching to people around the Jordan. His life became purposeful and with direction. Prior to John, the 'Word of God' came to Mary, transmitted to her by the angel Gabriel. Her life changed too in ways she could not imagine but she agreed to cooperate with God, without fully understanding what this would mean for her. History is charged with the 'Word of God' coming to people in the Church creating new challenges and changing our perceptions through their interventions and example.
Recently we pondered the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. The 'Word of God' came down on Jesus, ‘You are my Son the Beloved, my favour rests on you’ (Lk 3:22). Something powerful took place; Jesus' ministry began soon afterwards and he transforms the lives of people. St Paul had a similar experience: he received an inner transformation, a new insight, a new way of perceiving life having met the Risen Lord.
The 'Word of God' in Scripture is unique but metaphorically we can see how the 'Word of God' came to people in history. For example, we can think of the Church in France after the French Revolution, seemingly destroyed, yet within 100 years, experiencing a new flowering of apostolic religious orders dedicated to the education and care of abandoned women and children.
In contemporary times L'Arche communities founded by Jean Vanier have turned our values upside down, subverting 'the normal'. People with developmental disabilities in the L'Arche communities have taught many people who have come into contact with them about genuine acceptance, an acceptance that does not depend on beauty or education or skills, just their value as a person. When people suddenly understand they are welcome for their own self they are changed by the experience.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta received the 'Word of God' and founded a new community the Missionaries of Charity. She became famous for her work among the poor in India where we renewed our humanity by seeing her service to the poor whom no one wanted and overlooked.
The 'Word of God' has come to the Church through the child sexual abuse scandal; we are going to be humiliated and humbled for quite some time to come. Not only are the bishops, as leaders of the Church, in for a hard time, but also the priests and people - because we all belong to the Catholic Church.
What have we learned so far? That victims are people; that victims need to be cared for first; that victims need to be assured that their abusers will not be able to offend again after they have made a complaint to Church authorities.
Victims need justice and so do their families. When a family member is in distress the whole family is also in distress.
Let us listen to the 'Word of God' and pray that all child sexual abuse victims and their families receive the justice and support they deserve.
Fr Gary Walker
director@columban.org.au
Read more from The Far East, January/February 2013
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LISTEN TO: From the Director - The 'Word of God' (Duration: 3.34mins, MP3, 1.7MB) |