Project Compassion 2018 Reflections on Scripture Readings during Lent ASH WEDNESDAY 14 February Readings: Joel 2:12-18; 2 Cor 5:20-6:2; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 The readings remind us of our Christian service promised at Baptism. The prophet Joel in the first reading says: call the people together, summon the community, assemble the elders, gather the children". Today this sounds like a call to live in solidarity and to work together as a community for the common good. We can feel overwhelmed by the grief, sadness and heartbreaking events that we see in the daily news cycle. In the first reading the prophet Joel invites us to let our hearts be broken because when our hearts are broken then there is room for the tender compassion of God to be released in us. Then we might truly be "ambassadors for Christ" [2 Cor 5: 20-6:2]. The Gospel gives a fuller explanation of how we are to practise prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Traditionally the season of Lent reminds us of the reasons why we follow the Gospel teaching: to ensure the poor are fed, the thirsty are given drink and the poor and outcast are given welcome [Isaiah 58:6-9]. Caritas Australia is the international aid and development agency of the Catholic Church in Australia. Each Lent, Caritas launches its Project Compassion appeal. This is a practical way of bringing to life our Christian service. The theme is A Just Future. Perhaps we could take a moment to visualise what A Just Future looks like. In recognition of this Year of Youth, Project Compassion will feature stories about young people, who with our support, are working towards a just future for themselves and their communities. As we observe our Lenten practices we find ourselves in solidarity with the people who gather with us on this journey in the communities we serve. It is the spirit of God who calls us to this faithfulness and in this spirit we are energised by the life and love of Jesus. How do we respond to the call from scripture for a "steadfast spirit" of compassion and kindness for all God s people and so be ambassadors for Christ? 1
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT Weekend 17/18 February Readings: Gen 9:8-15; 1 Pet 3:18-22; Mk 1:12-15 All our readings today remind us of the faithfulness of God and God s desire that we participate and be in relationship with all creation. The second reading from the first letter of St Peter highlights Jesus' mission: to lead us to God. In the Gospel story of the tempting of Jesus in the desert, a version of which is proclaimed every year on this first Sunday of Lent, we learn of Jesus' 'stay in the wilderness. In biblical times the wilderness or the desert is often 'code' for a time of searching, even challenge. If we think about the desert, we imagine a dangerous place, a lonely place where people get lost and confused. The wind blows and the whole landscape changes. It is also the place where our God who is ever faithful and always present speaks into our hearts in the silence and loneliness of our own desert experiences. The Caritas Australia Project Compassion story this week tells us of Janaki. Her story suggests that she too has experienced a time of wilderness in her life. She grew up in a world of poverty and disadvantage in Nepal and was forced to marry at an early age. Janaki made a number of choices that put her on the path to a better future. She joined a youth club where she took part in training and was encouraged to follow her dream of having her own sewing business. She took a loan from the youth club to purchase her first sewing machine and two years on, Janaki is living a life of independence and influence. She has 11 sewing machines and is running her own business, as well as teaching others how to sew. She is considered a role model in the community. Janaki was committed to following her dream of having her own business. With the supportive relationships of Caritas Australia's partners, Caritas Nepal and Ekata Foundation Surkhet, Janaki gained the confidence and the skills that empowered her to support herself and her family. In the words of her mother Khima, due to her we are able to live a happy life. The Project Compassion theme is 'A Just Future'. For Janaki and others in her community, a just future started with empowerment. Janaki's story reminds us of the words of Pope Francis when speaking to young people he said, let us not be satisfied with a mediocre life. Be amazed by what is true and beautiful, what is God.' 2
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT Weekend 24/25 February Readings: Gen 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18; Rom 8:31-34; Mk 9:2-10 The readings invite us to reflect on the transformative power of seeing more clearly and listening more deeply. The love which unites Jesus and the Father is the same love which embraces us. The readings also point to a call to discernment and a desire to learn about the blessings God showers on us. St Paul asks the powerful question With God on our side, who can be against us? When we recognise that God is for us we are transformed. Rattanak's story featured this week by Caritas Australia s Project Compassion gives us a glimpse into a story of courage and transformation. Rattanak is twenty-nine and a barber in the village of Poh Krom in south-eastern Cambodia. From fever and becoming ill with polio as a child, Rattanak has some difficulty walking and is profoundly deaf. Emerging from an isolated world at home in his early twenties, he gained skills at the Caritas supported Deaf Development Program. He can now use sign language to communicate and is now running a successful business, supporting himself, his wife and their new baby. The program has been one of transformation for Rattanak. He can now understand and see the world in a whole new way. For Rattanak and other young people in his community, a just future started with community. Listening to the scriptures today and to Rattanak's story of transformation has the power to transform us. We can be partners in working for a just future for everyone. 3
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT Weekend 03/04 March Readings: Yr B: Ex 20:1-17; 1 Cor 1:22-25; Jn 2:13-25 We all cherish our freedom. In the shared religious history of both Jews and Christians, the story of the exodus is one of God s liberating presence, drawing the people of Israel out of slavery to freedom. It is in the middle of this desert journey that the story of the Ten Commandments is found. God speaks face to face with Moses. The Ten Commandments are as valid today as when they were first given on Mt Sinai. The Commandments continue to guide people of all the ages to live in right relationship with God and one another, to work for justice and peace. In the second reading we get a glimpse of the community of the early church which is struggling to live in right relationships because they still carry the baggage of their former lives. In the Gospel reading Jesus recognised that the commercial practices of buying and selling in the precinct of the holy place were a barrier to people living in right relationship with God and others. He passionately intervenes to stop what appears to have become common practice in the temple precinct and 'calls out' the injustice. Caritas Australia s Project Compassion story this week takes us to Jordan to meet 12 year old Bayan who with her family made the perilous journey from Syria. For Bayan the trauma of the conflict, and the disruption of her childhood, the Caritas Education Program in Jordan has been a source of encouragement. With this support Bayan looks with hope towards a future where she can finish her education and achieve her dreams. The Project Compassion theme is 'A Just Future'. For Bayan and many other children around the world, a just future starts with a safe place to learn. The major humanitarian crisis which continues to unfold in Syria highlights the inevitable chaos when we forget we are one human family. Programs such as these are an example of what a community like ours can contribute. By supporting and acting for justice and speaking out for the hundreds of thousands of children, women and men who have become displaced in Syria, we imitate Jesus taking action in the temple. 4
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT Weekend of 10/11 March Readings: Yr B: 2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23; Eph 2:4-10; Jn 3:14-21 The symbolism in today s readings remind us of the richness of God s mercy and grace. The first reading recalls the struggles of the people of God to remain faithful to God and to remember God s promises to them through the prophets. The role of the prophet in biblical times was to preserve in the people the reality that they were precious in God s eyes and that God was always present with them. In the Gospel today we see Jesus speaking with Nicodemus. The same Nicodemus we are told a few verses earlier, who came to Jesus by night [John 3:10-12]. In the scriptures night is often associated with secrecy and darkness. In contrast, later in John's Gospel, Jesus tells us he is the "light of the world." As the Church continuously revisits the long history of God s relationship with God s people, Caritas Australia takes this opportunity to revisit and explore the impact of its relationships. We first heard about Evangeline, a young First Australian woman a couple of years ago. She lives in the remote community of Beswick in the Northern Territory. Evangeline s work is, of itself, life-giving for her and her community. She helps to preserve and bring into the light her own precious gifts and talents and the art and culture of her people. We are blessed by their willingness to share their gifts with the broader Australian community. In doing this, like St Paul reminds us, we are "God s work of art. Just as Evangeline is shining a light on her culture and lore for future generations, we can ask ourselves: how are we living in Christ s light? 5
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT Weekend 17/18 March Readings: Yr B: Jer 31:31-34; Heb 5:7-9; Jn 12:20-33 The readings remind us that our relationship with God is one that is deep and lasting at least from God s viewpoint! The prophet Jeremiah speaks of the emergence of a new covenant and offers us these words: Deep within them, I will plant my law, writing it on their hearts. Let's pause for a few seconds and reflect on the implications of these words. God calls us into a mature and deeper relationship that will grow as we grow. The Gospel story has Jesus speaking to two of his disciples, Andrew and Philip, of his own imminent death. He uses the image of the grain of wheat which must die to yield a rich harvest. Together these readings can help us appreciate and understand the depth of love and faithfulness required to live in right relationships with God and others. The weekly Project Compassion Lenten story from Caritas Australia this week revisits Ditosa s story from 2013. With your contributions to Project Compassion, Caritas Australia was supporting the Matuba Children s Centre in Mozambique which provided vulnerable children with study help, food, and training in activities such as sewing and growing vegetables. Five years on, Ditosa is now 17, has completed her education and is looking forward to a bright and just future. This program reflects the strength of Caritas long term commitment and willingness to allow new green shoots to yield a rich harvest - which is so obvious in the changes in Ditosa s life and the maturing partnerships which began five years ago. For Ditosa and many other young people, a just future started with education. A thought to take away. What seeds lie dormant in each one of us and within our communities that could grow into a new harvest yielding a more just and peaceful future? 6
PALM SUNDAY Weekend 24/25 March Readings: Is 50:4-7; Phil 2:6-11; Mk 14:1-15:47 Many of us over the years have seen film and television productions of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. We could be tempted to see Palm Sunday as a historical re-enactment of the tragic events in Christ's life. Unlike those who witnessed this procession through Jerusalem 2000 years ago, we celebrate this day in the light of the resurrection. We know that sadness and death have given way to new life and that Christ has triumphed over death, so we too live in hope. As hope-filled people, we appreciate the significance of our prayer, fasting and almsgiving as they intensify during this week- the only week in our Christian calendar the Church calls "holy". These Lenten acts draw us back to God and each other. Through the liturgies of Holy Week, we participate in the remembrance of Jesus final days. We are mindful too of the many women, men and children around the world who are most vulnerable to extreme poverty and injustice. These are the face of the suffering Christ in our time. One such face is Psyche Mae who when featured in Project Compassion in 2008, was a teenager living with her family in a squatter settlement on the edge of a giant rubbish dump outside Manila in the Philippines. Her family formed part of an extensive, urban poor community, where hundreds of thousands of people struggle to survive and many are vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Fast forward to 2018 where Psyche Mae, her parents and siblings have managed to lift themselves out of poverty to a new life where they have built a better future. Psyche Mae herself is now a qualified social worker for the Philippines Government, helping informal settlers and people with disabilities. She is a hard worker, working full-time and studying after work at university, where she plans to continue to study for a Master's degree. This story illustrates that renewal and the opportunity for new life can be the start of a just future, where people can become the architects of change in their lives. 7