Ask “What Can I Do?”

Something you hear often these days: ‘What sort of world are we living in?’ We will start talking about Gaza, Israel, Ukraine, and a list of the places in the world today where there are wars, divisions and poverty, and about the harsh ways we treat each other. We can let it get to us. A few questions can help. Can I do anything about it? What can I do about Gaza? Very little. But it doesn’t mean I give up interest in it or being angry about it. We can do a little about this and many other situations. We can, for example, contact anyone whose family is working there and help financially. Further, am I right in what I say? Have I done any homework to know what the situation really is? We very often divide people everywhere into the Baddies and the Goodies. There are good people in Ukraine and in Russia. There are bad people in both places, too. Chat with people, read reliable reports; make sure to have the facts. We hope and pray for those who are working, often at great danger to themselves, for peace, prosperity and good lives for the millions who don’t have these.

Donal Neary SJ, The Sacred Heart Messenger, July 2024