Message from the General Superior

“There is no need for alarm. He has risen.” (Mark 16:6)

There is more than a tinge of desperation in the political rhetoric of the world’s leaders, as they struggle to meet the challenge of the first economic crisis of globalisation.

Depending on whom you listen to, messages run the spectrum from declaring the emergence of a new world order, to predictions of continued and sustained chaos. Either way, millions are paying the price of sinful mismanagement and greed: the weak are now weaker, and the powerful still powerful, with those in between left suffering from frustration and deep feelings of insecurity.

As this great global drama plays itself out on the stage of human affairs, in faith we once again focus on the drama of the last days of Jesus’ life.

In the cast, all elements of human desperation are represented: the powerful plotting to suppress resistance, the betrayer motivated by self-interest, the crowd baying for a bloody spectacle and the brutal extras gratefully obliging, the passionate pleas for mercy and justice falling on deaf ears, and fear-driven abandonment; all culminating in a final act of murder.

Probably unsure of the how the plot might conclude, Jesus was the only one who understood that God would not fail him, and that it would end in victory.

The beauty of this timeless drama is that each and every one of us can identify with some part of the plot. Who among us has not at sometime felt misunderstood, rejected, unjustly punished, betrayed, disillusioned, vulnerable, let down, humiliated, and helpless in the face of evil intent?

Timothy Radcliffe writes in one of his reflections on Christian leadership, “The Father lets things happen, even though he does not know where what this will lead to. This is leadership, not having to know in advance where things are going. It is being unafraid, however much chaos threatens. Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.”

Few of us can predict where our own lives are going, let alone the future of the world, yet we can be bold enough to proclaim the victory that belongs to God alone, as demonstrated in the resurrection of Jesus.

If Holy Week reminds us of dark desperation of humanity struggling to remain in control of its own destiny, the resurrection confirms, once and for all, what God will do for our world, and us, if we are open to his loving presence in our lives.

Inevitably, over the next few years many profound changes are coming to our world and to our Missionary Society. May the life-giving promises of Easter give us renewed strength to meet them with joyful and creative confidence.

Brendan, Jos and Michael join me in wishing you all the blessings of a very happy Easter.

 

Anthony Chantry MHM

12th April 2009