Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Headlines

Christmas Massacres Killed 400

Migrants Rescued Off Malta Coast

India as a source of priests

I found this article in the International Herald Tribune absolutely fascinating, and full of many thought provoking issues - particularly the comments about a priest in India having a much broader and more fulfilling role than a priest in North America.

India may dry up as a Source of Extra Catholic Priests

Letting Go of Old Hurts

Another challenging thought from Henri Nouwen...

Letting Go of Old Hurts

One of the hardest things in life is to let go of old hurts. We often say, or at least think: "What you did to me and my family, my ancestors, or my friends I cannot forget or forgive. ... One day you will have to pay for it." Sometimes our memories are decades, even centuries, old and keep asking for revenge.

Holding people's faults against them often creates an impenetrable wall. But listen to Paul: "For anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation: the old order is gone and a new being is there to see. It is all God's work" (2 Corinthians 5:17-18). Indeed, we cannot let go of old hurts, but God can. Paul says: "God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not holding anyone's fault against them" (2 Corinthians 5:19). It is God's work, but we are God's ministers, because the God who reconciled the world to God entrusted to us "the message of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:19). This message calls us to let go of old hurts in the Name of God. It is the message our world most needs to hear.