Update on efforts for East Africa

One week after the challenge was issued, the results of our 'healthy competition' have already begun to show.  This week, with an eye to the scripture passages which encourage us to look beyond our own comfort zones, an update and a word of encouragement for our efforts to fast for the people of East Africa.

Read on, or listen in at your pleasure:

In a pluralistic world

As a young boy in a land far away from here, I was first introduced to a world that included people of different colours, different races and different creeds.  Where once there were great tensions created because of these differences, in my experience, they all seemed to blend somewhat seamlessly into one.  In our neighbourhood, there were a multitude of ethnic backgrounds from all corners of the world, each of which enriched the other, literally as well as figuratively.

Perhaps for this reason, it does not strike me strange that Jesus too might have encountered people of differing races, although in that time, custom would have dictated that the relationship between persons of varying colours and creeds would have to be very different.  Today’s gospel passage explains that despite the fact that the Canaanite woman shouted a call for help, Jesus first response was to ignore her.  As it turns out though, her persistence demonstrated the fact that despite the differences which would have demanded silence from a cultural point of view, this was one case where an exception was merited.  I dare say that for her, and perhaps for Jesus himself, the outcome was worth the effort.

Last week, I told you about a little competition that we’ve started with another Catholic community in Edmonton, in an effort to help those in Eastern Africa who are suffering the effects of famine.  I’m happy to report that news of our efforts to raise $10,000 here and in Edmonton has already reached the ears of Development and Peace, and has been happily welcomed.  In fact, we’ve already managed to find a little more than $1,000 toward our goal, and we have until September 15 to find the rest.

We have no way of knowing who will benefit from our effort, but that’s not the point.  Regardless of the religious traditions they follow, or the colour of their skin, or the convictions they carry, the truth is that the people who will receive our gifts are starving.  Disciples of Jesus are challenged by the gospel to do something about such situations.  Just a few months ago, a joint statement published by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, the World Council of Churches and the World Evangelical Alliance called for Christians everywhere to understand that Christian witness in a pluralistic world includes engaging in dialogue with people of different religions and cultures.  Each one of us enters into this dialogue when we consciously undertake acts of service and justice (like feeding the hungry, in our own city or halfway around the world), rejection of violence (too often incited through ignorance), and building inter-religious relationships where ever and whenever possible.

The scriptures today challenge us to be people committed to faith, people committed to building relationships not only with those we would call friends, but especially with those who we might be tempted to call foreigners.  United in prayer for the hungry of our world, in the Horn of Africa or elsewhere, let’s do our part to help in whatever way we can.  Please forward your contributions to the office (or electronically to Development and Peace) by September 15.  The challenge is to raise another $9,000.  With a bit of luck and lots of faith, we can make this pluralistic world a better place.