Cardinal Felipe Arizmendi, Bishop Emeritus of San Cristóbal de Las Casas and head of the Doctrine of the Faith at the Mexican Episcopal Conference (CEM), offers Exaudi readers his weekly article.

FACTS

It seems that evil prevails over good. Indeed, when watching and listening to the news, the so-called “crime” is most prominent. On the news, there is more talk of wars, assaults, robberies, street and family disputes, kidnappings, government failures, floods, earthquakes, extortion, abuses of all kinds, etc. However, in ordinary life, there are many more good people who behave well and do good.

It is true that, in our churches, there have been regrettable cases of pedophilia. Indeed, many clergy are not what they should be. Many people indeed distance themselves from religious practice, sometimes due to the poor treatment they receive in our parish offices. However, there are far more priests who are faithful to their ministry and are recognized for their pastoral dedication. Truly, there are far more of us good pastors. Many good works are promoted in the parishes, and our churches continue to be places of trust for all, including migrants and the needy.

It’s true that divorces and family conflicts are common; but there are far more homes where harmony prevails, and moral principles are instilled. It’s true that many young people are enslaved by drugs and gangs; but far fewer are studious, responsible, honest, and good children. It’s true that there are armed groups dedicated to drug trafficking and extortion; but the majority of our people are hardworking, honest, supportive, and peace-loving.

It’s true that in our governments and in the legislative and judicial branches at all levels there is corruption, greed for money, arrogance, arbitrariness, political party-hopping based on interests, demagoguery, shady compromises, and irresponsibility in addressing community problems; but it’s also true that there’s no shortage of humble, honest, fair, and responsible leaders, legislators, and judges, capable of listening to their opponents, close to the people, creative in offering effective solutions, dedicated to their service, and faithful to their religion.

LIGHTNING

Pope Francis, in his exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate, states:

“The Holy Spirit pours holiness everywhere, in the holy and faithful people of God” (No. 6). I like to see holiness in the patient people of God: in the parents who raise their children with such love, in those men and women who work to bring home the bread, in the sick, in the elderly religious who continue to smile. In this perseverance in moving forward day by day, I see the holiness of the Church militant. This is often the holiness “next door,” of those who live close to us and are a reflection of God’s presence, or, to use another expression, “the middle class of holiness” (No. 7).

“Let us allow ourselves to be stimulated by the signs of holiness that the Lord presents to us through the most humble members of that people who also share in Christ’s prophetic function, spreading his living witness above all through their lives of faith and charity. Let us remember, as Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross suggests, that true history is forged through many of them: ‘In the darkest night, the greatest prophets and saints emerge. Yet the life-giving current of the mystical life remains invisible. Surely, the decisive events of world history were essentially influenced by souls about whom the history books say nothing. And which souls we have to thank for the decisive events in our personal lives, we will only know on the day when all that is hidden will be revealed’” (No. 8).

“Holiness is the most beautiful face of the Church. But even outside the Catholic Church and in very different settings, the Spirit gives rise to signs of his presence, which help even Christ’s disciples” (No. 9).

ACTIONS

Let us not allow ourselves to be contaminated by the evil that seems to dominate our world, but rather let us strive to be good people, faithful to the paths God has shown us, and therefore just and honest in our work and positions, united in our families, fraternal with those around us, and close to those who suffer in body or spirit. Making our world a better place also depends on us.