Editorial

Let us build a city of God

By Kathy Gillis
January/February 2009

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For the past five months, the world has watched as a banking crisis has led to dire predictions of an economic crisis and an employment crisis. In Canada, many are already feeling the effects, even Scarboro Missions.

This year, we are saddened to report that for the second year in a row we have had to cut back an issue of Scarboro Missions magazine. The economic downturn of the past months has meant that we have had to look again at stewardship and how we are best able to use the resources given to us.

We will do our best with four issues, plus our calendar issue, to continue to effectively share Scarboro's journey in mission and help you to understand the changing face of mission as we have experienced it in the past 90 years of our history.

This first issue of 2009 focuses on dialogue with other faiths, an area that is key to mission today. In his lead article on page 4, Fr. Jack Lynch tells us why Scarboro Missions has been involved in interfaith dialogue and the leadership of the Church in this area since Vatican Council II.

Fr. Jack tells us that dialogue is key to understanding our role in God's missionary agenda. God has been active throughout the history of the world and by dialogue we learn how God has been present to others. As the world becomes more multicultural and multifaith, we cannot but enter this conversation.

This year, the theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18–25) is from Ezekiel 37:17: "That they may become one in your hand." Day 7 reflects on "Christians face to face with a plurality of religions," even as we pray for unity among ourselves. It says, "...if we listen carefully to our neighbours of other faiths, can we learn something more of the inclusiveness of God's love for all people, and of his kingdom?"

Other articles in this issue also provide food for thought in our efforts to participate in God's plan of salvation for all. Fr. David Warren's reflection on the Beatitudes shows us that Jesus is calling us to look at the world in a radical new way–to be merciful, to hunger for righteousness, to be peacemakers, to be poor in spirit.

Janet Malone, C.N.D., writes about Thomas Merton and his journey towards God through silence and solitude. Sharon Willan looks at two 12th century contemplatives, Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Clare, and what they teach us about being more prayerful and compassionate–about being more like Christ in a world where so many are being crushed by suffering and injustice.

With our minds on Lent and the passion of Christ, let us journey though these economic times with faith and without fear, and let us keep our eyes, ears, and hearts open to recognizing the face of God and the movement of God in the world.

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