New Eyes For Prayer --- The SSMN Justice and Peace pastoral reflections 4th week of Lent 2016

New eyes for prayer
The SSMN Justice and Peace pastoral reflections

4^th week of Lent 2016

By Sr Isabel Passos Andrade, Dominican Rep.

The Door of Mercy

The parable of the merciful Father in Luke’s Gospel (15, 11-32) is a resume of the story of salvation, and a resume of the story of each believer. It is a veritable x-ray into the heart of God. His mercy is the central message. The message develops in two distinct sections:

the first, - the younger son who liberates himself, falls, and then comes back;

the second, - the elder son who complains about his father and his brother.

The father is involved in both sections.

The figure of the younger son is an image of the sociological processes of leaving and returning. Many categories of people live in similar situations: sons and fathers, fathers and mothers who are estranged from their families, those who leave work, school, the church, and God. They are isolated, lost in the world. They can also be those whom society leaves behind because of their social, economic and cultural situations.

The image of the older son represents all those who are faithful to the law, to times of prayer, to their work- but who, in their zeal, are unable to rejoice in some good news which comes to their brother or sister. It is the image of the person who accomplishes a lot, but who is wounded and discontent, who gets lost because of missing the essential: the spirit of gratitude, welcome, love. As Paul the apostle writes, “Without love, nothing else matters.”

The father is the figure of God, who - refusing to despair -awaits his two lost children: one out in the world and the other in his own house. His welcome, his attention, his affection, his tenderness and his mercy are for both sons. Look at this father, free of everything, who goes to encounter his sons and daughters, offering everything which he has- “You are always with me, and all that I have is yours...”

As missionaries in the Dominican Republic, we are faced with immense challenges with the Haitian and Dominican people whom we serve. They are people who share the same island, people to whom we have been called to show the merciful face of God as much to one as for the other.

Since the very beginning of St. Mary’s school, we have given the most attention to children in special education and to Haitian children, but certainly without excluding or neglecting anyone else. For it is those “privileged ones” who are most excluded from society; who experience rejection and disdain because of their physical, economic or intellectual limitations, or because they are “illegally” in another country.

This school is indeed the “Door of Mercy” for the children. When there is question of mediating a difficulty with a Haitian child, either in or outside of school, immediately the Sisters are called upon to see about the situation - either because it is one of “their children” or because it is in “their neighborhood”. I asked some of the teachers why this expression is used. They told me “Because they seek you out...you help them, give them advice...they know you much better than us. They are ‘your people’”.

Some months ago, a person criticized us for our work beside the Haitian people. Some days later, this same person was assigned to teach in our school. The personnel of the school was aware of the teacher’s comments, and they were wondering if the Sister Director would receive her or not. The Sister and the person who was directly responsible for the teacher’s orientation, nevertheless received her graciously, without commentary on her attitude. They allowed her to be in direct contact with the most wounded children of the two nationalities--and eventually her attitude changed. Now, not only is she attentive to the most needy children, but her feelings about being at the school are genuine and striking. This incident taught me not to close my heart, for all of us need to evangelize parts of our heart; we all need to give and to receive mercy.

O God, rich in Mercy, grant that wherever Sisters of St. Mary are, that there also be a door of mercy.

Jesus Christ, Face of the mercy of the Father, help us to reveal this face to our brothers and sisters, wherever we are sent.

Holy Spirit, Love of the Father and of the Son, enlighten each Sister, each province, and all our congregation so that we might be witnesses of Mercy.

S. Isabel is from our Brazilian province, but is currently serving in the Dominican Republic among children with special needs : Down syndrome, deaf, blind, autistic, etc.
Contact: ir.passos33@gmail.com