As People of the Word we have been reflecting this past year on Pope Francis’ challenges to us on Hope. How can we proclaim a word of hope in these times? We have reflected on this great virtue, a power given us by that hidden Mystery of God we call “Father.” As the Father cannot be seen, so hope cannot yet see what it longs for. Yet we cannot be still. We preach the Word, in season and out, because if we don’t it burns within us, needing to get out to those around us. As Dominicans we learn in our formation that our first preaching is from the pulpit of our lives. Our lives speak. We bring a presence to the kitchen, the phone, and online. This is the first Word others hear. Then some among us write, speak, teach, or preach liturgically at liturgy.
Pope Francis shocked the world with his Laudato si, where he called us all to recognize that we are one with all of creation, and need to care for it. Now he has again challenged the world with Fratelli tutti, where he zeros in on the one creature that can change whatever is amiss: ourselves. The title, Fratelli tutti, means “Brothers and Sisters All.” Simply, he is telling the world that nothing will change unless we look at one another anew. We are indeed all related. Yet we abuse, rob, demean, and kill one another. This letter, not only to Catholic Christians, but to the world, simply states that we need to regard each other as brother and sister, no matter what our differences. This will change everything and make anything possible.
Is Francis a wild dreamer? Is his vision utopian? Some say so. But a greater number of us are recognizing that he is merely calling us to what the Kin-dom of God promises. So, this year we will take up his challenge. We will reflect on what he is calling us to in the midst of this time when much is in flux within our Dominican community. Perhaps his insights will help guide our next steps. In his Introduction, Francis admits he is inspired by the example of Francis of Assisi, who met with Sultan Makil-el-Kamil in Egypt during the Crusades. He himself met with the Grand Imam Ahmad Al-Tayyeb in Abu Dhabi in 2019. Together they signed a statement emphasizing that “God has created all human beings equal in rights, duties, and dignity, and has called them to live together as brothers and sisters.” COVID-19 has exposed our false securities. Our national governments have not been able to work together. So now, as members of “a single human family,” we need new systems to solve global problems that affect us all.
So, we will dream together. Together we just might also discover clues for the next direction of our Racine Dominican Community.
