I have been sitting before my computer for a long time in search of some ideas to write something for this Sunday’s bulletin. I have kept open a few biblical commentary and reflection books for ideas. I have wasted a long time in want of some points. Nothing other than my past acquaintances with the people of other religions (pagans?) comes to mind. Most of them were wonderful people, both spiritually and morally. As I picture the scene of Jesus adulating the intense faith of the pagan Canaanite woman, however, I am forced to allow these memories to invade my reflections.
With the insistence of our Local Bishop, my Carmelite province in India started a new mission in the Hindu dominated area. We found only four Christian families in the entire district, prior to the building of a chapel for worship. The Carmelite Priest, who carried out the project, had no place to live in that village. Surprisingly, a Hindu priest invited him to share his own house until he found a suitable place to build a chapel and residence. The Hindu priest did not look at the Catholic priest as an outsider – a worshiper of a pagan God, rather, as a priest like himself who helps people in worship.
There is something unique in every religion. The first reading of today warns the Hebrews for not becoming the light to other nations. The Gospel provides evidence proving that there are no barriers for living a true faith, and salvation is not limited to only the particularly privileged lot. Everybody who lives God’s commandments are God’s people. Sometimes we need to cross the boundaries to look at things from other perspectives. They can inspire us to live our faith heroically.
God is the creator of all and, therefore, as Christians, we are called to become the light to the world.
-Fr. Ranjan D’Sa OCD