Yesterday evening some of my confreres and I were speaking about little critters, namely large spiders, we had encountered here in previous years. One had encountered a scorpion; two years ago I found a spider the size if a small saucer in my shoe I put it on for the day; my first year on the trip we saw a tarantula a little smaller than a salad plate. At the talk of this we all became somewhat uncomfortable. There was a palpable fear of the unknown. The fear unknown though comes with the territory of mission work. We go in a with basic understanding of what we are doing but much of it requires trust in the Holy Spirit. Unknown and unexpected things will happen, being pulled over by a government official asking for a bribe, not having adequate transportation, sickness, and many other things. Mission can bring forth in someone a greater faith and hope which will in turn show themselves in greater charity. Fear of the unknown turns, in the faith, into trust in divine providence. From a Stoic point of view fear of the unknown is moot; you can't worry about what's out of your control.
Part of being a missionary, as well, is knowing the situation in which the people to whom minister live. Today allowed me the opportunity to learn more about the people, the political and economic situation in Nicaragua. I rode with Fr. Kelly, a a Maryknoll Missionary and the director of pastoral formation at the seminary. He was a missionary in Central America for more than half of his eighty years. He is a man full of wisdom and knowledge, and he holds the church close to his heart. He gave me the run down of the economic situation here as we were driving through the hills to meet with a local priest so we could purchase the materials for the two houses we will start to build. It was a time for me to listen and soak in. He makes connections that are way beyond my thought process. I ask him about an advertisement for the current president, Daniel Ortega. It says, "Nicaragua, Cristiana, Socialista, y ..." (I can't remember the fourth word, probably because it won't have much bearing on my next statements.). Daniel Ortega is for himself first, a socialist second, Nicaraguan third, and last, if at all a Christian. These billboards are all over the country. They bear the aforementioned words along with him smiling and hand raised in a regal wave fashion. He is trying to gain support in a primarily Catholic Christian country by connecting Christianity with socialism and nationalism. Both socialism and nationalism operate opposite the tenants of Christianity. He outright lies to his people, to his constituency. This is the country and the people we are ministering to. It is an unstable government that doe not have the support of the people. It thrives on supporting revolution but only it's revolution, and I fear someone, not necessarily better, will revolt against him.
This evening we got to see real missionaries at work. We celebrated mass with four Missionaries of Charity and the girls under their care. I always look forward to this mass because the singing of young girls has an angelic quality that cannot be simulated. These four women from all parts of the world are there to teach the girls and take care of them, as well as feed the poor of Granada. They are guided by the mission of their founder and Christ's words to her, "I thirst.". That was written in large bold letters next to the crucifix in the chapel, "Tengo sed.". Each year I'm struck by those words. Do I attempt to satisfy that thirst? Do I offer even vinegar? Or do I just walk by like the priest and scribe in the parable of the good Samaritan? Part of mission is to provide for the basic needs of the people to whom we are ministering, physical and spiritual. The Missionaries of Charity show to me the unity of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Mission requires, demands both, not just one or just the other but both in concert. (As I continue, I can't deny this reflection has its origin in one of my confreres, but I will fleshing it out some). Mission just as service will end in feeding the stomach while the soul sits starving. Just as mission solely through the corporal works of mercy will prepare someone for death while at the same time quickening their death unnecessarily. Mother Theresa had this always in mind; I hope as the trip continues that do as well.
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