“In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
“”Shout aloud and sing for Joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.” – Isaiah 12:6
At Christmas we celebrate that God made a deliberate choice to live among us as one of us. Jesuit Missions works with Jesuits and other partner organisations who live among and alongside the people they serve. This is an extract from an article written by Fr Mark Raper SJ, Director of development in Myanmar Jesuit Region.
“The tragedy raging in Myanmar is a ‘forgotten crisis’. The National League for Democracy overwhelmingly won Myanmar’s 2020 elections, while the military’s proxy party suffered a crushing defeat. Refusing to accept the results, the military seized power and imprisoned State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint. Following the coup, millions to to the streets in protest. Orders were given to shoot demonstrators in the head or back. Since then, Myanmar has not known peace. The army is cruelly at war with its own people, foreign investment has fled, the banks are hardly functioning, inflation is exploding, over half the population lives below the poverty line. Everyone is hungry. Over a million people have been forced from their homes. Little is being done by foreign powers to reduce conflict. Any openness to dialogue, negotiation or compromise within the country appears impossible. Despite unpredictable dangers, the Jesuit region grows steadily in numbers, capacity and commitment. The Jesuit’s focus on young people especially through education; on emergency help for the displaced; and on the Spiritual exercises, pastoral care and formation of leaders.” (The full article this extract is taken from originally appeared in the Winter 2022 edition of “Jesuits and Friends”)
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Pray for the people of Myanmar and the work of the Jesuits and their partners there.
God of Justice, you sent John the Baptist to prepare your people for Jesus. Help us today to prepare our hearts and minds that we can notice the signs of Jesus’ presence in our world today. May we show our love for you and for others in our thoughts and in our actions.
Amen.