Last September 24-28, I attended the Congress on Migration, Family and Mission in Taichung Taiwan. The Congress aims to gather the pastoral workers to help migrants, immigrants and people on the move in the Asia Pacific Region. There 80 participants from the 19 different countries who gathered and shared their ideas on how to respond this growing migration phenomenon in their respective countries.
In line with this I would like to share with you the homily of Fr. William Grimm, MM on Mt. 20 : 1-16
"The parable of the workman was probably included in Mt. Gospel as a rebuke to Jewish Christian who resented the influx of Gentiles into the community.The Jews had generations of experience at believing in God. Jesus himself was one of them.
Then from out of nowhere, all sorts of strange people started coming into the Church. Not only did they not come from a tradition of believing in God, many of them were in fact pagans who had recently elbowed their way into the community claiming the right to be part of the chosen people of God.
They spoke different languages, wore different clothes, ate different foods and had different customs.
Matthew's message is a reprimand to those who are uncomfortable with the newcomers.
In the parable, those hired early in the morning and those brought on near quitting time all recieve the same welcome from the land owner and the same wage, a denarius.
A denarius was the amount one needed to live for a day. So, the land owner gave each of the workers all they needed. Of course, the land owner represents God, who will give us all we need.
In the kingdom of God, we will not be given more than ll we really need. Niether will we be given less.
So the parable is not a story about labor relations or wage policies. It is about how God deals with the world.
And yet, it is not totally unrelated to the concerns of the modern world.
All over the world, societies are facing their own version of what the early Church experienced.
Migrant workers, refugees and immigrants are "invading" area where their races, cultures, religions, speech and customs are alien.
They often face ridicule, explioitation, discrimination and even violence.
Another way in which "outsiders" are becoming a strong presence in many societies is the refusal of women and minorities to remain outside the mainstream of their society.
People who have traditionally been incharge see their power eroded and are challenged to either cooperate or be ignored.
On a global level, nations and societies that in the past were merely objects of colonialism, tourism, or exploitation for resources or cheap labor are demanding recognition, and a just share of the gifts of the world.
In the Church, too, this phenomenon is arising, and not a few Christians appear threatened by the change, just as the Jewish Christians were long ago.
If one wishes to survey Christianity today, they journey must begin in places like Sao Paolo, Nairobi, and Manila rather than Rome or Canterbury.
The response to this on the part of many Christians is like that of the landowner in the parable. They work to ensure that all people have a fair share of the opportunities and goods of this world.
They join the struggle for justice within societies, among nations and in the Churches. Such activity is not always welcomed, even by fellow Christians.
The immitators of the landowner are accused of abandoning the Church's spiritual mission for material aims, of being dupes of various enemies of society or religion and even traitors.
However, involvement in social criticism and activism by Christians is none of these.
Christian calls for equal justice are not based upon ideology or a commitment to solely material values. We must be involved in order to show what God and God's kingdom are like
The generosity of the land owner shows that God offers the same love to all. The generosity of Christians aims at doing the same.
It is a spiritual mission, even when it looks similar to what others may do from a different motivation.
The incarnation of Christ is God's declaration that if we wish to learn about God, we must look for signs of God's love in the world in which we live.
This world is the place where spiritual is meant to be visible. Just as the parables of Jesus show the love of God in stories about lost coins, vineyards and generous landowners, the followers of Jesus must make the event of everyday life point to God's loving presence among us.
Therefore, we must root out discrimination and unwelcoming attitude in our own lives. In addition, as citizens, as members of society, we must use the structures and opportunities available to us to make the world more like the Kingdom of God, more like the field of the generous landowner."
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FUKUSHIMA KEN
Shirakawa Catholic Church
Our monthly Tagalog Mass was held last September 6 in Shirakawa Catholic Church. Before the mass the group had their block rosary and went to the church for the Tagalog mass. This month Sylvie joins us in our celebration. After the mass, we had a simple sharing of food and small talk.
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| happy faces |
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Noda Machi Catholic Church Mass
We had our monthly meeting in Noda Machi Catholic Church last September 7. It was good to meet many familiar faces during the mass. We were literary overflowing inside the small chapel. I am very happy to see most of the members of the Hawak Kamay community.
The community just finished their activities at EIWAN World Women's Cafe where the group joined and cook Filipino food for the cafe and also had some presentation. Although tired they made an effort to join the Tagalog mass and give thanks to God for the blessings.
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MIYAGI KEN
Watari Church International Mass
We had our International mass in Watari Catholic Church last September 7. We fill the church, literaly, of Watari everytime we celebrate the mass. Both Japanese and the foreigners are gathered together to celebrate the sunday mass. After the mass, we introduce our new comers in the church especially the trainees who are working in the area. We also introduce Sylvie who joined us in our masses in the community.
After the mass, we enjoy together the food prepared by the Filipinos.
The children are also gathered by Aiko Hayashi san and taught them some catechism and guitar lesson
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Ishinomaki Hawak Kamay Joins Fukushi Bazaar in Ishinomaki City
The Hawak Kamay Ishinomaki community joined the Fukushi Bazaar in the City. The group prepared adobo obento which is one of the most popular dish in the bazaar. The group also presented a dance number. It was a way to thank all the people who had helped the group and support the Filipinos here in the city.
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Shiroishi International Mass
September 28 is a special day for Migrants. Churches everywhere celebrates international mass to pray for the migrant and their families. In Sendai Diocese, we have international masses celebrated in the Cathedral and in other churches. This day we were invited to join the Shiroishi block and join in the international mass in Sendai. Foreigners who are living in Sendai had gathered together to celebrate and pray together.
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Hirosaki Catholic Church
We arrived in Hirosaki Church just in time for the Rosary and Novena Prayer. After that we celebrated the Eucharist together.
Then we went to introduce our Office the Sendai Support Center for Foreigner to the group. Claire did the presentation and after this she ask the cooperation of the group to answer questions for the
During the meal, the group had made some sharings about the community and we hope to address all these as we dialogue and will report the result of the survey later on.
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OCTOBER 2014
MASS SCHEDULE
October 4 - Shirakawa Catholic Church - Tagalog mass 1 pm
October 5 - Watari Catholic Church - International Mass - 11:00 am
Noda Machi Catholic Church - Tagalog Mass 3:00 pm
Mizusawa Catholic Church - International Mass - 2:00
October 8 - Hirosaki Catholic Church - English Mass - 11:00 am
October 19 - Motodera Catholic Church - English Mass - 2 pm
Ofunato Catholic Church - Tagalog Mass - 1:00 pm
