The WORD in other words (2009) by Fr Alan Meechan SVD – Barcenaga, Oriental Mindoro
Thursday 5th Week in Ordinary Time
Tony Blair finished his term as prime minister of the United Kingdom in June 2007. A committed Christian, he had been converted to Anglicanism while at university and had later married a devout Catholic. Shortly after his resignation, he was received into the Catholic Church, so that he could join more fully in the religious life of his wife and children.
Having relinquished politics, it would appear that Tony has now found his mission in life. In May 2008 he unveiled the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, the purpose of which is to show that people of different faiths could join forces to combat some of the world’s most urgent social problems, harnessing the power of the great religions of the world so that in mutual respect they can work together for the betterment of the world in general. At a time when people of different faiths often fear and distrust each other, even to the point of international terrorism, Tony Blair believes that “the world would be a better place if people of faith harnessed their talents together in aid of the common good.”
People generally do not look beyond their own country and culture. Jesus saw himself as being sent to the children of Israel. Before today’s Gospel, all his healings had been of Jewish people. However, a homilist pointed out that “on certain occasions he encountered pagans and more than once admired their simplicity and faith.” He was able to reach out to them, and they to him, as with the woman in today’s Gospel. His followers have taken this further, reaching out to people across the world.
How do we reach out to others? Bono, lead singer of the punk rock band U2 said this of Tony and it is true for all of us: “I think he knows he has a steep incline ahead on a long journey. And I don’t think it will be his considerable powers of persuasion or his winning smile that will have him seated at a table breaking bread, or taboos. It will be the true respect in which he holds the other pilgrims.”
