Our Tribe - Seasonal Hope
by Sara Forrest, Commission Member
‘Be not afraid’ is a phrase Jesus used many times. Human life is complex and we need food, warmth, shelter and the security provided by who we see as ‘our tribe’. In the UK most of us live in cities and ‘our tribe’ lives alongside other tribes who may believe different things, have different cultural practices, or look different.
The advent of social media means that many young people have virtual, worldwide ‘tribes’. This can lead to a feeling of ‘apartness’ in the real world. In our minds we have a picture of ‘us’ and a picture of ‘them’. I think my ‘us’ does vary dependent on who I am with: other retired women, friends of other faiths or no faith, my family, friends of different ages. This reflects my liberal parents’ teaching that we are all made in the image of God and must welcome all other people non-judgementally.
Across the world it seems that the media and public discourse often speak in a binary way, using language that promotes the differences between ‘us’ and ’them’. Since the Second World War sociologists and historians have reported on how divisive language can empower those with Power to demonise those they consider to be ’them’ and make it easy to enact laws that discriminate and disadvantage whoever is perceived to be ’them’. I remember watching the film Hotel Rwanda and feeling a sense of horror as government rhetoric amplified hatred that eventually turned neighbour against neighbour and the eventual genocide.
We naturally fear anything that we see as threatening to fulfilling our basic needs for food and shelter as physical violence. We have evolved to cope with these, motivation theories reflect this. I am pleased that our Government is emphasising the use of armaments for defensive purposes only and supporting those resisting aggression. As with governments some Religious leaders also promote reconciliation and long term peaceful co-existence. Sadly some religious leaders don’t.
As our societies have become more complex and diverse we have developed psychological fears such as shame, loss of status, embarrassment, failure, rejection, loss of power, loss of health.
When we look at the ministry of Jesus we see that he always reached out to those who were different and challenged the cultural norms of the day whilst recognising the Romans when he said ‘render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s”. In the words of Alan Hull ‘he got busted just for talking and befriending the wrong sorts’ (“Winter Song” Lindisfarne).
It is so important that we physically listen to the young people we know, who are growing up with so many unhealthy messages and experience so much pressure to follow and agree with influencers motivated solely by the clicks that bring them more money. The more we listen to their real fears and explore who their ‘us’ is and who their ‘them’ is, the more we can help them build their resilience and maturity to make healthy choices in a complex world.
So,
Be not afraid of asking questions and listening to the answers of children and young people. We all have a Christian responsibility to help young people to grow in the love of God and to understand what it takes to live as God intended in a tolerant and inclusive society.
Understanding, acceptance and learning come from listening. The self-esteem of each one of us flourishes from a feeling of being heard and being accepted for who we really are. There are many on-line resources that can provide advice if in your listening you feel out of your depth to help in specific circumstances, the BBC Action line is a good start place. Sharing the search for advice and balanced information shows love.
And pray that our Church will accelerate the structural changes that will remove the marginalisation of all the groups that the Synodal Listening process identified to follow the lead of other Christian and other Religious groups who are further along the route of recognising the God that is in all of us.
My personal Pilgrimage of Hope last Lent involved visiting other faith services who welcomed people who are marginalised in Catholic faith. I now know that when I am feeling that my Church ‘doesn’t understand me’ I can attend services where I am welcomed as a Child of God and gain the strength to work towards an inclusive, Catholic Missionary Church. This year I will again celebrate the Triduum with ‘my tribe’.
This was inspired by some feedback from the SPARK group.
*****************************************