Weekly reflection from the Jesuit Institute

This is this weeks reflection from the Jesuit institute in South Africa, it deals with the conflict in the Arab countries of North Africa by starting with a quote from the Qur'an. Nice approach. Enjoy:

Quotation:  "Whoever recommends and helps a good cause becomes a partner therein, and whoever recommends and helps an evil cause shares in its burden." (Qur’an, 4:85)

Reflection:  It is hard to know how to react to what is happening in Egypt.  At first our hearts might be gladdened by the sight of ‘people power’ on the streets: after all popular protest is something that helped bring down a bad government in South Africa. 

But then we might feel dismay and anger at the use of violence, certainly by the Government forces but also by some protestors.  Then we might feel concern that the protests are being orchestrated by certain groups or shock at the violation of great treasures in the museums.  And we might feel anxiety at what happens to peace in the Middle East if this stable but undemocratic regime falls, or fear for the plight of the Christian minority if there is a new Islamist government. 

The quote from the Qur’an reminds us always to return to understand the cause – for in that we will find the measure of what is of God and what is not.

Prayer:  God, the Almighty the Compassionate.  We ask your blessing on the people of Egypt and all the people of Africa.  Give wisdom, compassion and courage to those in authority, those on the streets and those with the power to influence. 
Amen.

Weekly reflection from the Jesuit Institute

This is from the weekly newsletter of the Jesuit Institute in South Africa :-)

www.jesuitinstitute.org.za

Quotation: “Humanity did not weave the web of life but is merely a strand in it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.” 

Attributed to Chief Seattle

Reflection: Even though we live in a concrete jungle and our bare feet seldom touch real earth, we travel by iron horse or silver bird in the sky, we are still intimately tied to our world.  We may have mastered some of forces that nature imposes on us.  But we cannot escape the web of life of which we form part. 

Acid mine drainage and water pollution are effects of humans ignoring the ties that bind us to the earth.  We pollute the world at our own peril and the peril of following generations.  God’s providential design, of which we are stewards, is that we be dependent on each other and on the life of species surrounding us. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, please keep me humble enough to know my small place in your creation.  Help me to heal the world where it is hurt, and so be part of your saving plan.

Amen.