The key question is what kind of ambition we are after. Are we ambitious to always be in a position of power so that we can command and tell to others around us what to do? Or are we ambitious to use whatever gifts and qualities that we have in order to be of service to others and to be a particular help to those who for some reason or another are marginalised and occupy the most obscure places in our society? As Christians, the choice for us is very clear. We are to be ambitious to extend our hands in service to others. We are to be ambitious to use the God-given qualities that we all have in order to give the best to ourselves, to our families and at the same time to help others reach and achieve their potential as created in the image and the likeness of God.
All of this helps us to understand a little bit why good people suffer. How often have we heard people say, "I try to do good and I have been repaid in such an awful manner". How many people have tried to do good and had to pay a very nasty price for it, even death? When I do not like something, I try to eliminate it, I try to destroy it so that I will not be reminded of it. When I am living or acting in an irresponsible manner, when my life lacks the basic human qualities of integrity, respect and justice for all and when all I am after is what suits me, then I will try to eliminate, destroy, ridicule and belittle all those people who remind me that the way I am living is not right; that I need to change. Very often to justify my irresponsible way of living I attack and destroy everything and anybody who stands in my way. I am not able to understand that perhaps I need to change. I am not able to understand that my way of acting and behaving is ultimately not life giving. Rather it is causing pain, anxiety and destruction.
Paul Mahabane was a member of the African National Congress with Nelson Mandela. One day the two of them were standing next to the post office when the local magistrate who was in his sixties approached Paul and asked him to go inside the Post Office to buy some stamps for him. It was quite common during those times for a white person to force a black person to do things for him or her. Paul refused and the magistrate became furious. "Do you know who I am" he said angrily. "It is not necessary to know who you are" Paul replied. "I know what you are". Instead of reflecting on this the magistrate retorted, "You will pay dearly for this" and walked away. This magistrate was too blind to understand that his attitude was very demeaning and unjust. Paul tried to make the magistrate understand that his attitude and presumptuous way of living needed to change. The magistrate however was too blind to see this and through his reply he waned to keep Paul, a black person, in his place by intimidation and threat. No wonder good people suffer.
How are we, as believers in Jesus Christ, going to behave in situations of fear, hurt, pain and naked injustice? This is where our faith can be so powerful and life-giving. It is by not letting ourselves be swamped by the negativity around us. It is by remaining in the middle of the muck and sow the Word of God in that very situation. As Christians, because of the life-giving presence of God in us we are not called to curse the darkness. You do not need to be someone special for this. It is the trend and the easiest thing to do. Instead of cursing the darkness we are invited and strongly prompted and urged to light a candle.
Elie Wiesel, a Nobel prize winner, tells this story in one of his books. One day after he gave a lecture, he came face to face with a man who looked familiar. He then remembered that he had met this man in an Auschwitz concentration camp. Suddenly an incident involving this man came back to him. A group of children had just arrived at the concentration camp, and they were destined to be marched off to the gas chamber the following day. This man approached some of the soldiers who were nearby to see if he could spend the night with these children. He was given permission to do so.
During the night he kept telling stories to the children to try to cheer them up. But the children simply cried and he cried with them. In the morning he accompanied them to the gas chamber. Afterwards he returned to take up his work. As he walked back to work the guards saw him and they burst out laughing, ridiculing him. Only God knows what humiliation he was submitted to. Yet, he gave hope to those children. He immersed himself in their situation and walked with them till he could do no more. This man's actions has encouraged and stirred the spirits and the hearts of so many to seek ways and means to give life in the midst of the most adverse situations.
This is also happening in so many ways in our diocese. Today I am launching the "Maureen Considine Fund". Maureen was a woman of faith and family life, who died recently. One of her sons suffers with an intellectual disability. She worked relentlessly to provide supported accommodation and a sense of community for those people with intellectual disability and those who choose to live with them and support them. Central to the life of these communities is the fundamental belief in the dignity of each person, the value and gift of each person with a disability and the spirituality within each one of us. This ministry has been inspired by French Canadian Jean Vanier who founded the L'Arch communities and "Faith and Light" support groups. Maureen's life has inspired others to do something practical to help in this area. Indeed instead of cursing the darkness she lit a candle. Animated and empowered by Jesus Christ we are called to do the same irrespective of the physical, spiritual, financial and emotional cost that it will entail.
God bless.
