Many signs of hope

Catholic New Times, Jan 4, 2004 by Larry Carney

The "Signs of Hope" editorial I read today (CNT, Nov. 30, 2003) echoed thoughts I had this morning while reading today's Scriptures and praying.

I had a sense that the Kingdom of God is being born in the world today, even if the process does seem to move slowly, painfully and unevenly.

There is a growing resistance movement among Israelis to the Sharon way of repressing Palestinians. That fits well with the Christian Movement for Peace that Bob Holmes and many others are working for over there.

In many Latin American countries, people are coming together to resist the sell-outs of their resources to huge global corporations, and the trickle-down-wealth theories promised by promoters of the World Trade Organization and the 1.M.F.

The anti-war movement in the world speaks for itself; even the violent reactions of many rebel groups are reminders that God's Kingdom is not secured by capitalist wealth or American pseudo-Christian military policies.

As I read in Isaiah, "a little child shall lead them," I think of Jean Vanier's L'Arche movement and the call of Jesus to downward, not upward mobility. Our church needs to be reminded that we are called to be servants, not masters.

I see Christians, Jews and Moslems coming together--led by the same Spirit--joining the straggle for justice. And I see retreat centers and prayer movements leading people to deeper spirituality and healing.

Our church may be resisting in many ways, but the movement of the Spirit in the larger ecumenical church is too powerful and will triumph in the long run. "The earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord", and the birth of the Kingdom of God is definitely on the way.

Larry Carney

Clifford, Ont.