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02.28.06 Tuesdays Reflection

We believe that as in the Parable of the Talents (Mt 25:14-30), we have an

urgent obligation to take Christ seriously enough to share his mission of

human liberation, justice and dignity with others.

Spirit and Lifestyle

The words that especially strike me are human liberation, justice and

dignity. John Paul II on the first beatitude ("Blessed are the poor in

spirit" Matthew 5:3) commented:

Do Christ's words about the poor in spirit make one forget about injustices?

On the contrary, being poor in spirit does not mean being unconcerned with

the problems of the poor people who suffer injustices. By their own

existence, the poor are evidence of the obligation of justice that confronts

society and those who have economic, cultural or political power. The first

Beatitude ... tells those who live in material poverty that their human

dignity must be cherished and protected. It also tells them that they

themselves can achieve much if they are determined to pool their skills and

talents to achieve their own progress and development.

Yesterday, a bishop came to the Change for Children office to discuss with

us the next project he will fund. The first project was the construction of

some 20 wells in as many small communities in a poor, dry area of Nicaragua.

The bishop listed two criteria for the next project: 1. To work with poor

people who are willing to participate in the project and keep it going and,

mody importantly, 2. To have an almost certain chance of success.

As the discussion continued, I suggested a third criteria: The project is

what the people themselves want, what is the most important to them. The

bishop didn't respond to that. It was also suggested that he designate a

small amount of the money for a campaign that our partner feels is very

important: Water as a Human Right. Throughout the world but especially in

poor countries under the control of the World Bank and the International

Monetary Fund, there is a real danger that water rights will be sold to a

multinational company and that the people will have to pay higher and higher

fees for water. Our partner in Nicaragua, would like to mobilize the

population to prevent this from happening. Already the poor of Bolivia have

succeeded in throwing out a multinational that had acquired water rights.

I was amazed that the bishop hadn't heard of this even though for the last

three years Water as a Human Right has been the joint theme of Development

and Peace and Kairos, national organizations representing the catholic

church and most of the christian churches in Canada. He felt that the

project isn't suitable because there is very little likelihood of success.

The people can't win over the WB, the IMF, governments and corporations, he

asserted. Also the donors that contribute to his fund for projects in the

South would not donate for such a project.

The Nicaraguans' criteria: "human liberation, justice and dignity."

Hopefully, that's our criteria also.

I'm sending this a little earlier since I'm going skiing this week. Please

feel free to comment.

Cecily