Scripture:
Acts 19:1-8
John 16:29-33
Reflection:
I am not alone; the Father is with me, Jesus tells us. In the intimacy between Jesus and his Mother-Father God, God becomes a witness. In the midst of trial and tribulation, God is the first witness and, at times, the only witness, of one´s suffering. This especially dignifies those whose plea for justice has been ignored or silenced. It is in God´s heart that all victims find a place for justice. This is both a comfort and challenge. The comfort comes from the revelation that God´s just-love seeks to restore everything anew, both victims and victimizers. Our challenge is to do the same within the brokenness of our world in order to participate in the Raining of God.
The recent bombings in Boston create this opportunity for the American People. Will those brought to justice become the scapegoats of American fear, racism and xenophobia, or the U.S. Government´s extraordinary rendition program depriving them of due process? Or will the American People decide to go forward in the radical proposition of God´s just-love that wants to transform even our hearts!
Fr. Hugo Esparza-Pérez, C.P. is a Passionist of Holy Cross Province now working in Mexico with the Province of Cristo Rey.