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SURABAYA CORNER
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- The
Webster dictionary defines family as “a
group of persons, consisting of parents and their children.”
Further, it is “a succession of persons connected by blood,
name, etc.” Most if not all of us relate the word “family” as
defined above.
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- In Matthew
12:46-50, when Jesus was told that His mother and brothers had
arrived and would like to speak with Him, He answered, “Who is my
mother? Who are my brothers?” then He pointed to His disciples
and said, “Look! Here are My mother and brothers! Whoever does
what My Father in heaven wants him to do is My brother, My sister
and My mother.” In the same manner I believe that our family
circle is not limited to our parents, brothers and sisters by blood
but also includes other people around us, even though we are not
related by blood and regardless of nationality or religion.
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- However with
the recent bombing in Bali that killed at least 187 people and
wounded more than 300 people, it is very difficult to understand how
we could apply the above words of Jesus. Then we also have the
recent bombings in the Philippines (Zamboanga and Manila), Bogota,
Israel and other parts of the world killing innocent lives and
wounding several hundreds of people. Nonetheless, tragic incidents
such as this one in Bali brings people closer together, irrespective
of nationality and religion, to help the victims. And we salute
these people who contribute their time and efforts for this cause. A
very good example is a British firefighter named Russel Ward who was
vacationing in Bali when the bombing incident happened. He did not
know anybody but he stayed and helped retrieve the bodies from the
wrecked buildings. In fact, just as I was writing this article, he
just saved from death an elderly woman trapped under the debris.
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- We need to
pray for the perpetrators of these “despicable acts of terrorism”
that the Lord Jesus will forgive them for what they have done. That
they may be enlightened by God and stop committing further acts of
destruction to humanity. At the same time, we continue to pray for
the eternal repose of the souls of the victims and healing for those
wounded. We also pray for family members left behind for strength,
courage and faith to accept this tragic end of their loved ones.
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- However, let
me not focus on the perpetrators of these crimes but let me instead
focus on people like this British firefighter. We have a lot of
“victims” around us. Victims of poverty, oppression, injustice, war.
The sick, the needy, the homeless, the hungry, the orphans and the
abandoned. And these victims, our brothers and sisters, are
everywhere. We just have to open our eyes and look around. He could
be an immediate member of our own family, a neighbor or an
officemate or simply the man on the street, our maid or our driver.
These “victims” need you and me. They are members of our family! We
need at least to pray for them.
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- In closing let
us all pray through this e-mail from Bro. Yoyok, which inspired me
to write this article.
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- Dear
Brothers and Sisters,
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- Bomb blast
in Bali. Hundreds were violently injured and killed. And thousands
are now grieving for their lost loved ones. Evil is ripping us
through violence and destructions.
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- We
Catholics, as our Christianity is not a mere narrow circle of 'Me,
my-loved-ones and God', as we include the poor, the homeless, the
lonely, the jobless, the sick, the victims of broken homes, the
victims of injustices, the victims of war and the victims of
violence.
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- Let us join
our hearts in grief and sorrow for the tragedy of humankind. Let us
bow our heads and offer our prayers for the repose of the souls of
the dead and quick recovery of those who were injured. Let us ask
the intercession of Mama Mary, a mother who also lost her son
because of our sins, let us offer a Rosary prayer for peace in the
whole world. Let Jesus reign!
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- In Christ.
- Yoyok
