Fr. Richard HolungTWENTY-ONE BROTHERS vowed their lives and one priest ordained in service of the Lord and the poor. What celebrations! We had visitors from the United States, Canada, India, Belize, Grand Cayman and hundreds of Jamaicans joined us in our spirituality convocation climaxed by the vows and the ordination of a priest. For those days last weekend and this Tuesday, it was the Holy Spirit pouring forth His graces on our brothers and priests, and all our visitors.
At that time, hundreds worked in the ghetto with our homeless and destitute. Tourists bathed our deformed children and our helpless old people. Along with the brothers, the visitors, who have never seen such poverty, clothed and fed our retarded. A few of our AIDS patients died over the weekend, they were stripped of their clothing, washed and oiled and covered with clean linens. Those who could not feed themselves were lovingly spoon-fed. There was much laughter and tears as thousands of people were given chicken feet and biscuits.
Who would believe that tourists would come to Jamaica to receive spiritual riches by working with the most homeless and destitute of people? Who would believe that the ghetto would be packed with visitors who would accompany the brothers on their routine work with our homeless residence? The poor themselves were so happy to see these strangers.
Though these are the poorest
and most dangerous of neighbourhoods, the tourists were likewise surprised to find so much hospitality and friendliness. This was Christianity at work. All different people from so many strata of societies became one.
We also worshipped as a community. Like myself, the brothers and our newly-ordained priest, abase ourselves before God in total obedience to Him and His Will. We give ourselves entirely over to Him and the building of His Kingdom nothing else matters to us. The brothers and myself, in a profound ceremony, lay prone before the altar of God and take vows of Poverty, Chastity, Obedience and Free Service to the poorest of people. We leave mother, father, sisters and brothers, land and country behind so we may marry the Lord and be at the total disposal of Him and the poor whom He holds so precious in the Gospels. With that same goal, we are one together in the community, sharing the one purpose and intention.
The ceremonies last week were marvellous. We sang to the Lord in Caribbean style, we shared the Eucharist; we prayed for our vowed men, we even danced as we sang. We shared some fabulous meals prepared by our Jamaican friends - totally free of cost, materials and labour provided and donated. Some people wept during the services, some laughed and clapped hands. All felt this tremendous presence of God as these young men pronounced their vows and promises to the Lord to live and die for Him uniting themselves with the Lord forever and ever.
Though we are all weak and sinful, there is nevertheless holiness in these men. They seek the light of Christ and the goodness of God. They seek to bring all people to Christ and His truth and goodness, purity of heart and mind.
Our brothers vowed on that day to live and work in community so that as one Christ's love will be known among the most forgotten of people. This is the only way we can day in and day out offer residency, food, medicines, clothes, and sacrifice ourselves in love to those discarded by society. The vows and community life are serious; they bind us and give strength to serve from the depths of our hearts.
Our great joy is that we know this is pleasing to the Lord; we know we are living the Gospel message; we know that our poor are happy when they see so much love and care offered freely and in the name of the Lord.
Yes, there was great rejoicing last weekend both in the worship and the works. The participation with so many friends and visitors amplified the joy.
When we think of God's Kingdom here on earth, we often believe that its an idyllic dream: a pretty house, by a pretty river with golden fields of flower and butterflies, birds singing and grass bathing in sunlight and there we and our family living in everlasting peace. Strange. Happiness is not that. For Christ that is unreality. He wants us Christians to work at bringing the Good news to the poor. "Tell John what you have seen," he says to the disciples. "The blind see, the deaf hear, the cripples walk and the poor have Gospel preached to them." This is what makes us truly happy, not just Missionaries of the Poor but every person.
Today, it is in Christianity lived out, not just preached by words that bring happiness to all men and women. Why do you think the brothers and the priests in Missionaries of the Poor are constantly smiling and singing songs despite the terrible suffering we confront each day? It is because we experience of Christ in the poor and Christ deep in our hearts.
Now there are 21 more men who are given over to the message of the Lord for the rest of their lives. "If you wish to follow me, take up your cross daily."
The Very Rev. Fr. Richard Ho Lung, M.O.P. is Founder and Superior General of The Missionaries of the Poor.
