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Niños Del Mundo - La Antigua, Guatemala

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The Fabric of Christ’s Interior Landscape Continues
by Fr.Charles Blanchard

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” In answering such a question, Christ unequivocally spelled out the foundational commandment – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12.28-34). It is precisely this commandment on which Christ’s interior landscape developed; also known as the beatitudes.

THE EIGHT BEATITUDES OF JESUS include:
- Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven;
- Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted;
- Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth;
- Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied;
- Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy;
- Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.;
- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God;
- Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3-10).
Evidenced in Ignatian spirituality, “becoming a person for others” is central to the notion of Ignatian spirituality—to be a man or woman for others. When St. Ignatius of Loyola founded the Jesuits back in the 16th century, he believed firmly that faith must be put into action. The Beatitudes; and such a lived example of becoming a person for others, is a beautiful tapestry of Christ’s landscape.

Think this idea is radical? Jesus taught this principle over 2000 years ago! In his Parable of the Last Judgment, Jesus made it abundantly clear that faith in him will be judged by how well that faith was put into action:
- Then the righteous will answer him “Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink?
- And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee?
- And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?”
- And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:37-40, RSV)
In other words, my sisters and brothers, you and I are called to be people for others. The question is what does this mean in practical terms? How might you and I translate faith into action? Dignity of the Human Person is an immutable guide.
- We are called to protect the rights; ensuring a decent human life, such as food, clothing, and shelter. Preferential option for the poor, vulnerable and oppressed is paramount;
- We are called to pay special attention to the needs of those who are poor. The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers must be maintained; and
- We are called to protect the basic rights of all workers: the right to engage in productive work, fair wages, private property, and the right to organize, join unions, and pursue economic opportunity
On October 26, 2018, Father Charles received a call of sorts and spent 5 days journeying Guatemala with the Baker-Spencer family and new found Guatemalan friends; Santiago, Evelyn and Leonel.  Our collective Memory Moments became a beautifully woven tapestry of Christ’s interior landscape.

Moreover, an example of positive change over time unfolded October 28, 2018.  Bishop Joseph Catrambone connected Father Charles with Doctors Leonel and Evelyn Aragon and son, Santiago, for a tour of their school.  Niños del Mundo aims to provide children a chance to fight against the social forces pulling them down.  Father Charles’ eyes were opened to the profound presence of poverty; to the visceral needs of the elderly; and to the plentiful opportunities of living the beatitudes and being a person for others.

My sisters and brothers, whether it’s Ferndale, Michigan or Antigua, Guatemala, this journey is not over!  Along with other external stakeholders, Father Charles is leading a charge of supporting Niños del Mundo’s mission.  More details will be forthcoming.

Niños Del Mundo - La Antigua, Guatemala

Niños Del Mundo Organization

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven;

Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted;

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth;

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied;

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy;

Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.;

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God;

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3-10).

Then the righteous will answer him “Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink?

And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee?

And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?”

And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:37-40, RSV)

In other words, my sisters and brothers, you and I are called to be people for others. The question is what does this mean in practical terms? How might you and I translate faith into action? Dignity of the Human Person is an immutable guide.

We are called to protect the rights; ensuring a decent human life, such as food, clothing, and shelter. Preferential option for the poor, vulnerable and oppressed is paramount;

We are called to pay special attention to the needs of those who are poor. The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers must be maintained; and

We are called to protect the basic rights of all workers: the right to engage in productive work, fair wages, private property, and the right to organize, join unions, and pursue economic opportunity

My sisters and brothers, whether it’s Ferndale, Michigan or Antigua, Guatemala, this journey is not over! Along with other external stakeholders, Father Charles is leading a charge of supporting Niños del Mundo’s mission. More details will be forthcoming.