Intercultural studies program participates praised for ‘giving comfort to my people’

The Mexican American Catholic College (MACC) has a number of religious women on campus currently taking take part in a program featuring intercultural resources for congregations. This program provides educational and formational experiences, consultative and coaching services, and specially designed resources for international congregations of women religious who are intentionally responding to the opportunities and challenges of growing cultural and generational diversity in their communities.

Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS, celebrated a liturgy for the group on December 10, expressing his gratitude to them for their presence and willingness to serve in consecrated life is an inspiration for us all. “You and your communities have made many sacrifices for you to be here with us these days,” he said. “I hope this time is truly profitable for you!”

In the first reading at the Mass from Isaiah, the prophet’s mission was to bring God’s own consolation to the people of this world — most especially those who are suffering – by addressing Jewish people who had been living in exile, and whose very identity has been torn from them.

“They are poor, not only materially, but also spiritually. They have lost everything: their nationhood, their traditions, their language and culture, and even their hope,” the archbishop explained. “It is in this situation that God looks upon his people with compassion and offers them the vision of a renewed Mountain of the Lord, a new Zion, where God’s kingdom shall reign.”

Archbishop Gustavo emphasized that Jesus faced a similar situation as he encountered the people of Palestine and Judah in his time. “Many of the common people were like sheep without a shepherd,” he said. “The leaders of the Temple in Jerusalem had become corrupt, and the Romans were occupying their land and draining their resources for their own empire.”

In the second reading at the Mass from Matthew, Jesus offered an image of what it means to “give comfort to my people,” by telling the story of the shepherd who goes in search of the one lost sheep.

“Searching for the lost, going out after the ones’ in need – these are examples of bringing comfort to God’s people,” the archbishop stressed. “This, I believe, is what the Holy Father, Pope Francis, is asking of us when he asks us to go to the margins, to go to those places where the light of Christ is most needed.”

The Missionary of the Holy Spirit lamented that in modern American society we deal with a vast spiritual poverty, and a disengagement from faith and the traditions of the faith. “While there are great opportunities and freedoms here in this country, there can also be a coldness and a lack of belonging – a lack of care for the most tender and broken,” he said sadly. “This is where we must come in. This is the invitation for us today to ‘give comfort to my people, says the Lord.’”

The San Antonio prelate concluded by urging the religious women to fulfill what God has asked of us. “Let us thank God for being found worthy to serve Him in this way,” he repeated. “I pray every blessing for you and your ministry, and I hope that your experience here at MACC may strengthen you and guide you.”

Photo: Veronica Markland for Today’s Catholic Newspaper

By Today's Catholic Newspaper

Be an informed Catholic by subscribing to Today's Catholic Newspaper online! Save time by renewing or purchasing for yourself, friend, or family member. Click here to find out more information. #iamTodaysCatholic