Let us pray that societies where coexistence seems more difficult might not succumb to the temptation of confrontation for ethnic, political, religious, or ideological reasons.
Hearts United in Prayer and Care
As a Young Jesuit I spent one summer in northeastern India, a few hours by train outside of Kolkata, near the Bangladeshi border. In this part of the world, there are people of many different ethnic and religious backgrounds.
The institution where I volunteered for those weeks houses multiple services for people with Hansen’s disease – traditionally known as leprosy. It is a Catholic institution, and a number of Christians, including priests and religious, were working there. On the staff of nurses, caretakers, drivers, and among the patients, there were also Hindus, Muslims, and people of traditional local animist religions.
It’s no secret that for many years there have been tensions between these groups in this region of the world. Sometimes violent tensions. And oftentimes with motivations that are more political than properly speaking religious. Yet, at this medical center dedicated to caring for the poorest of the poor, and the sickest of the sick, I experienced a beautiful mutual coexistence and collaboration among a very diverse group of people.
Of course, many of us need not travel across the world to see and experience the reality of people succumbing to the temptation of confrontation amidst ethnic, political, religious, or ideological differences. Often we need to look only as far as the daily news, or even our own neighborhoods.
So let us pray with the holy father this month, by the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s love and grace, for the gift of peaceful and fruitful mutual coexistence – in our world, and in our own lives and communities.
Fr Phil Hurley SJ begins as the new National Director of Pope’s Prayer Network USA on July 1. Recently he served as university chaplain at Loyola University Maryland. Previously Fr. Phil was pastor at St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church in Raleigh, NC. He is a founding member of the Jesuit Tracks music collective.