DO WE CARE OF THE PAIN OF OUR WORLD'S REFUGEE CRISIS?: "TO THINK...TO FEEL..TO DO" - POPE FRANCIS

A very touching and humbling video of Syrian children refugees

This post is probably going to be contentious to some but I am not writing to point fingers at anyone for it is a struggle I have been experiencing personally in my own heart.  It has been growing stronger as the days go by. Am I one of the millions in the world just reading articles and viewing videos of the struggle to live and the dehumanizing treatment of the refugee crisis in Europe and Africa - yet I then just get on with my life wihout further thought?

It is of the effects of war and violence in the Middle East and Africa - the innocent people desperate to escape the unimaginable cruelty and killings - inhumane conditions that no human being should endure. Tonight (Saturday 16 April) I am viewing online  a news article with many photos of Pope Francis' 5-hour visit to the Lesbos migrant camp in Greece. I had tears in my eyes seeing the photos of the visibly emotional, desperate refugees reaching out to Pope Francis seeking the Holy Father's help -  the heart-piercing photo of a man weeping at his feet; I read of a young girl  doing likewise; of a young boy kissing the Holy Father's hand and youths reaching out to touch Pope Francis. Every touch and every look on the faces of each refugee pierced my heart - how can we get on with our lives thinking each of us cannot do something to help? This could have happened to me, to each of us! How would we feel at the indifference of the world? How would I feel if my family is dying and we just want a chance to rebuild our lives to live as a human being with freedom, dignity and hope?

I ask myself - what have I done? The Syrians, the Yazidis, the Libyans in Middle East and the Afghans all leaving their countries and risking their lives on overcrowded flimsy boats to reach a safe country in Europe - the continent closest for them to escape to. 

In Africa, we see the same plight of refugees in the Central African Republic, Somalia and South Sudan which stands close to 14.9 million refugees (UNHCR 2015 report)! Yet, they seem forgotten because the world media is focussing on the European refugee crisis. The African crisis has not been reported extensively because it is confined in Africa. The sufferings of the African refugees has not pierced the hearts of people globally as the world media is always Western-focussed. That is the REAL tragedy in Africa - the continued indifference of the rest of the world.    

It was so shocking to read two days ago that fishermen in Turkey had found the body of a young girl child (believed to be 3-years old)  in their fishing net. The recent news makes me wonder how inhuman can we humans be to one another - in the name of "religion", an entire generation is being wiped out around the world.

What are those of us living in safe countries and comfortable lives doing? Here I have been complaining of the weather being so humid and stifling instead of thanking God that I do not have to worry every single moment that my loved ones and I can be killed at any moment, to lose everything I have in life, to be exploited, to be so desperate  and hopeless that I will do anything to be able to live without fear. Looking at the Facebook postings, I often see postings of videos of dogs being abused having a loving home finally and I know how happy I am seeing these videos because I am a dog-lover. Yet i have not seen videos of the lives of the suffering refugees - to raise us to action in bringing joy in giving a life of hope, love and joy to our fellow human beings.

Perhaps the thought in your minds (just like the inertia I have been in thus far) is what can I, one ordinary person, do? I do not know how to help and this is too huge a crisis. That is what I had been thinking.  While my heart has been troubled, I have prayed for God to help the world's refugees. But I will be the first to admit, even my prayers seem lukewarm because I am focussed on petitions that have a closer, personal connection to my loved ones. friends' and our mission needs. There is nothing wrong with that but I know I can pray with a greater intensity with a more open heart and do something. It does not mean we do not support the needs of our own community. It is about having a true Christian heart  - to love until it hurts. Jesus will always be with each of us every step of the way. 

 "Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, 

to be generous and ready to share,"
(1 Timothy 6:18)

Each of us, as Catholics, can definitely do something more.  On Sept 6, 2015, Pope Francis' made a call to European Catholics after his Sunday address, "I appeal to the parishes, the religious communities, the monasteries and sanctuaries of all Europe...to take one family of refugees." Pope Francis has taken 3 refugee families back with him today to start a new life supported by the Vatican. Why can we not make the commitment to raise funds in each of our parishes in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, USA, and Canada to raise funds every month for the critical refugee crisis in Africa and MIddle East? We need to look beyond our individual parish needs.  We are Christ's disciples - the world is our family from God. We need to care and to act. If all working Catholics can set aside a little something financially ($5 or $20 or $50) each month as a parish community, we can help our suffering brothers and sisters. We should encourage children and teenagers to contribute something (even if it is only 50 cents or $1). What we can do is speak to our Bishops and parish priests - to connect with Catholic religious communities who are working closely with the refugees around the world. Let us not give up at the first sign of objection that we cannot raise funds. If so, let us do it amongst our circle of friends - this is a humanitarian cause that will touch the hearts of people of all faiths, agnostics and even atheists. It just takes time and effort to find out how we can channel the funds for a set period of time e.g. 3 years. For Catholics, we need to offer all our efforts covered by our daily prayers. God can do the impossible with our efforts no matter how small or insignificant it may be.  It might take just $1 to save the life of a starving person in a critical moment. We will never know what difference each of us makes but maybe when we are in our Heavenly Home (someday!), we will learn of the Christian difference we did make.

I have no idea what we can do. But today, I knew in my heart that even though I am a fulltime volunteer in a Catholic mission, I need to share what I have. Jesus has blessed me in so many ways and I cannot keep it for myself only. I will not be facing a situation of life and death sharing something of what I have to someone who REALLY needs it now to live another day. If any of my friends would like to join in the effort, just let me know. The least I can do is find out how we can send the donations to a Catholic religious community who can make best use of our support to help our fellow brothers and sisters. To God, we are all His children. He is not going to check out what their religions are and only help Christians! 

You can donate online to the Jesuit Refugees Services (JRS) who are on the frontline of the refugee crisis around the world  via the link below:

JESUIT REFUGEES SERVICES ONLINE DONATION PAGE

This is just one option. Please support the religious communities you know who are seving courageously to help the refugees worldwide. All of them need urgent financial support.

My hope and prayer is that each of us will pray for the Grace of God  "To Think...To Feel...To Act" as per the call of Pope Francis. Our Holy Father cannot do it on his own. Every one of us who are Christians need to live according to Jesus' commandment to us - "Love one another, just as I love you."  (John 15:12) It means getting out of our personal comfort zone, of our "myopic view" of only looking at our own parish, own community or own family needs and to reach out with a generosity of heart expecting nothing in return...except for love, peace and a life of dignity to every human being in our world. Instead of beautifying the structures of our church buildings, let us look at savng lives beginning In this Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. For it is what Jesus is calling out to  the world - "Be Merciful Like My Father". 

All you and I need is TO BELIEVE in the Promise of Jesus to each of us:

"Nothing will be impossible for you."

(Matthew 17:21)

I hope the beautiful YOUTUBE video below, TO BELIEVE by Jackie Evancho  will inspire your heart to do the very best you can - as it did mine!