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Like other prophets, Baruch told the story of Israel's exile, not simply to record a historical fact, but to draw out deeper spiritual teachings. The prophets saw clearly that it is not enough to record history. The important thing is to learn from history in order to face the future with hope. Our Christian faith liberates us from all forms of supersitition. Christian hope, then, is never mere day-dreaming or wishful thinking. Christian hope refuses to be defeated by the weight and burden of past history. Christian hope is the ability to take off our "robes of mourning and misery" and to put on new robes, robes not made by human hands, robes not woven of human dreams. These new robes are God's gift: "the splendour of God for ever". Christian hope looks to the future, not in a spirit of day-dreaming, but with a deep sense of responsibility. This sense of responsibility urges us to build a better future. Christian hope teaches us that God will never solve our problems for us, since that would destroy our liberty and our humanity. Rather, God has given us the wisdom and strength, the foresight and vision to be able to create the future. Lord, with Your grace, may we do great things for You. |
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P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H
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That the celebration of the Jubilee may become the source of a new commitment in men and women of good will to protect and promote human life.
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In the threshold of the year 2001, it is our duty to renew our commitment to safeguarding the dignity of the poor and marginalised and to recognise in a practical way the rights of those who have no rights. This is the spirit of the new millennium which presupposes the following: The basic right to life which is inviolable which involves a positive choice for life. The development of a culture of this kind embraces all the circumstances of life and ensures the promotion of human dignity in every situation. Recent developments in the field of genetic engineering present a profoundly disquieting challenge. In order that scientific research in this area may be at the service of the person, it must be accompanied at every stage by careful ethical reflection, which will bring about adequate legal norms safeguarding the integrity of human life. Life can never be downgraded to the level of a thing. To choose life involves rejecting every form of violence. In every circumstance, the right to life must be promoted and safeguarded with appropriate legal and political guarantees. Let us raise our voices on their behalf. | |
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