Monday, February 10, 2020

Shine your light on the poor and oppressed to attract others to Jesus: Week 5, Ordinary time, cycle A

February 8 was the feast day for St. Josephine Bakhita. I’d like to share the story that led to her sainthood.  In the late 19th century a young girl from Darfur in Southern Sudan named Bakhita, at the age of 7 was kidnapped and sold into slavery.    This must have been extremely traumatic both for Josephine and her family.   She was sold several times, and
finally came into possession of the Italian consul to Sudan, who later gave her to the Micheili family to be the nanny for their daughter Mimmini.   After a few years Mimmini accompanied by Bakhita, was sent to a school in Venice administered by the Canossian Sister and was.   The loving care of the Sisters drew Bakhita to the Catholic faith, and she was baptized in 1890, taking the name Josephine.   Upon Mimmini’s graduation from the school the Micheili family wanted her and Josephine to return to the Sudan, but Josephine refused.  Since she was the “property” of the Micheili family, she did not have the right to do so. 
In the first reading from Isaiah he prophesies that the Lord calls us to care for the poor and shelter the oppressed.   By doing so the light of hope will shine on those who are in need and the Glory of God will be revealed to them.  The prophesy says that those who care for the poor will have the light shine on them.  This sounds a bit like the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 25 where the Lord as shepherd separates the sheep and goats.  The sheep are those who care for the poor and oppressed, who are represented as caring for Jesus, and will inherit the Kingdom.  The goats are those who did not and will suffer eternal punishment.
There is a strong link between the light Isaiah and the Gospel.  Jesus is speaking to his disciples using images of salt and light.  As salt of the earth, the disciple is to be the flavor that enhances and preserves the lives of others.   Jesus also tells the disciples that they are the light that must shine before others.   Their good deeds shine as lights in the darkness for the poor and oppressed and glorify God the Father.    Their light of their good works attracts others to Jesus, like moths are attracted to light in the summer darkness.
We must shine our lights as well as disciples of Christ.  The Beatitudes in Matthew Chapter 5:1-12, were the readings we normally hear the Sunday prior to today’s Gospel.   The Beatitude are guides that Jesus has given us to be light in the world.  These are the attitudes we are to be in order to shine light on others we encounter. It would be a good idea to take some time read and reflect on the Beatitudes. 
One of the beatitudes is especially relevant to the story about St. Josephine Bakhita:  Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be satisfied.   As Christians the Church calls us to show our love by caring for the poor and oppressed.   Works of mercy to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and house the homeless, are ways to shine our lights.   Fighting for social justice of the oppressed is another way we can also shine out lights.  St. Josephine Bakhita’s story, may sound like something of the past, but unfortunately its not. 
Human Trafficking, the buying and selling of humans, mostly children, is the fastest growing and the second largest criminal industry worldwide.    It’s not isolated to other parts of the world. It’s occurring in our own country and our own community. A few weeks ago, I was told that this is the #1 crime in one of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police districts.  Indiana ranks fourth in the nation in Human trafficking.  I would have never imagined that we would face such an issue in our own State and community.
Where does this occur in our own community?   One example is people smuggled into this country without documentation and forced into labor. 
They are required to work long hours, seven days a week, and cannot seek help because they have no legal documentation and fear retribution against their families. A friend of mine encountered this at a restaurant her family frequented in southern Indianapolis.  They went there once a week and really enjoyed it.  In learning about the issue of human trafficking she started to notice that some peculiar reactions of the workers at the restaurant. She ceased going to the restaurant and reporting it to the legal authorities as suspected of human trafficking.
How can we shine out lights on others and bring about justice for the oppressed and care for the poor?   The issues may seem overwhelming, making us think we can’t make a difference.  But we can make a difference one person at a time, by learning about the issues. I recently went to a movie, Blind Eyes Opened, that exposed the serious issue of Human Trafficking.   The website, blindeyesopened.com, has many details about the issue and how to get involved.  It opened my eyes and shed light on the issue.   
Another good resource focusing on social justice issues is Archbishop Thompson’s pastoral letter, We are One in Christ, which can be found on the Archdiocese web site. It addresses challenges in our culture: violations against human life, the plight of immigrant, migrants, and refugees, gun violence, and drug abuse. It also outlines the Church’s social doctrine related to these issues and provides a study guide to reflect on them.   We may think we are powerless against such daunting issues.   But like St. Paul, who came in weakness, and much fear and trembling, we have the grace of the Holy Spirit that empowers to make a difference one person at a time. With Lent coming in a few weeks it may be a good to reflect on ways we can be lights for the oppressed and the poor by relying on the power of Christ.
Returning to St. Josephine, a court case on her behalf was taken on by the Canossian sisters.   The judge ruled in her favor since slavery outlawed several years earlier in Italy.  St. Josephine entered the school run by Canossian sisters and professed her vows three years later.  She assisted in her community for years through cooking, sewing, welcoming visiting and was well loved by children attending the school.  St. Josephine Bakhita died in 1947 and was canonized a saint in 1980.   She is the patron of human trafficking survivors.
As we continue with Mass let’s thank God for the grace of our Holy Spirit through our Baptism and Confirmation to shine as lights in the world carrying out good works as Christ’s disciple.   May the Eucharistic we receive empower us to be salt and light to overcome darkness in the world, and lead others to Christ.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website on Human Trafficking has more detailed information on the issue. 

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