Editorial developed with his Lordship Bishop Zammit and selected for the Foreword by Fr. Stuart Chipolina
Dear Friends, with so much
LONELINESS among the elderly in Gibraltar we ask Mother Teresa once said “Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.”
2
‘What can we do?’
A
fter a discussion with Bishop Carmel recently, Manolo Ruiz and the Gibraltar Senior Citizens Association presented their ideas about how the community at large can help alleviate loneliness, which we have printed in a question and answer format.
Q
In the drive to recruit volunteers, how do you hope to tempt people to join you when so many are already committed with work and family obligations? e in the association also have other commitments,
W
Tweet with us!
we and our spouses have medical issues, some too serious to mention, but we as most others, do have the odd hour or moment to dedicate to trying to improve the quality of life of senior citizens. How long does it take to knock on the elderly person’s door and ask if she/he needs anything from the supermarket for example? Or knock and ask if she/he is alright and spend five minutes chatting?
Q
In one of your leaflets you say that other groups and clubs could do much to combat loneliness, how exactly could they help? Small, medium and large groups could do sterling work towards this end. If a club could once or twice a year invite
A
@uponthisrockmag
a number of senior citizens to a tea party or some form of get together for example? Just imagine if four or five clubs did this once or twice a year, it would not cost them all that much and imagine how much good this would do. We know of many small groups who meet every week for morning coffee and a chat. I’m sure many of the members know of a lonely person who would benefit by occasionally joining the groups for a coffee? In Gibraltar it is customary for groups of all shapes and sizes get together
National Week Celebrations The Self Determination for Gibraltar Group, together with Mgr. Charles Azzopardi, organised a Boat Procession with the assistance of the Royal Gibraltar Police and the Gibraltar Port Authority as part of the National Celebrations last month. Mgr. Azzopardi blessed the sea and boats. All those who have lost their lives at sea were
to celebrate different events and book tables for a social get together; perhaps they could invite a couple of extra people to share their enjoyment? The options are endless, where there is a will there is a way! You also say that many people may, at some time or other, have wished to be involved in some activity; would you expand on this? Surely there are people with time on their hands they do not know what to do with, and sometimes just wishing to do something to relieve boredom, here is the chance for them to get involved in a positive and worthwhile activity. How many of us have ever thought that we owe so much to this community that has served our families so well for so many generations, here is the golden opportunity to make Gibraltar an even better place to live! I sincerely ask; would Gibraltar be the place it is today if it were not for the charitable institutions that we have, all working and giving their time for free? What would you say to someone who came up with an idea that is not already
Q
A
Q
included in your agenda? We do not have an agenda set in stone, we do not have a one track mind, we welcome any idea as we welcome any person who wants to join us. Our goal is to try and eradicate loneliness. We have said that this initiative is in an embryonic stage and needs a lot of thinking to get right and if we do not get it right at first, we shall try again and again until we do. There are two things we definitely need, involvement to any degree and the names of people who are alone and who need someone to talk to. In conclusion Manolo says: Thank you for reading through this article and allow me please to end with the following words and message. For a headache or for a sore throat one takes a pill or a cough mixture, no such luck with loneliness. Loneliness can
A
only be overcome by personal interaction, we need at least a one to one contact, and this can only happen by personal involvement and good will. Give it some thought, and ring the Gibraltar Senior Citizens Association on 20078282 or email gibseniors@gibtelecom.net to get involved.
remembered with the laying of flowers near the statue of Our Lady of Europe on the South Mole. In spite of the weather many boats, dressed for the occasion, turned out with crew members from every generation. Photos by Johnny Bugeja courtesy of The Gibraltar Chronicle
Upon this Rock magazine is published monthly by EuropeAxess Media, Gibraltar. Editor: Fr. S. Chipolina: editor@uponthisrock.gi. Production Editor: A. Sargent: angela@europeaxess.com. Upon this Rock magazine is entirely supported by advertising and donations. It is run in liaison with the Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar by EuropeAxess Media Ltd. as a not-for-profit project. For Advertisers: This magazine is handdelivered to homes, churches, hospitals and many businesses around Gibraltar every month. To discuss your advertising requirements, or promote your church group or charity, call Tel: +350 200 79335 email: angela@europeaxess.com. Editorial is selected by EuropeAxess Media in liaison with the Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar. Neither of these parties is responsible for the accuracy of the information contained herein, nor do the views and opinions expressed herein necessarily reflect the views and opinions of either party. Advertisers are not endorsed by virtue of advertising in this magazine. EuropeAxess Media Ltd. reserves the right to refuse space to any submissions or advertisements. Efforts have been made to establish copyright owners of images, but if we have used your material, and have not credited you, please contact us to discuss restoration. The magazine is online at uponthisrock.gi. Cover Photo: OFS & YouFra Congress in Lithuania. Courtesy of Gibraltar OFS
Join us on Facebook
3
4
Upon This Rock is online
Pla nnin g A h e a d : F or t h co mi n g eve n t s
Bp. Carmel invites you to a
Joanna Lett writes
RETREAT in preparation for the
2020 V ision Mission
W
Following the success of the Hand in Hand seminar, held in January this year, some participants shared our concerns about our children, grandchildren, and youth faith in general.
e felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to help our priests and bring transformation to the parishes, to help others to find fullness and wholeness in Christ, so we started to pray about all this.
After months of prayer and meeting our Bishop and our priests, we are now working towards a Diocesan mission in spring 2020. In preparation, many outreach events are also planned for 2019. For now the build up for this is a RETREAT from 19th-21st October for personal preparation and recommitment for as many people from parishes and groups as possible. (See details below) We are very excited about this retreat, Rev. Canon John Udris will be the guest speaker giving
us his sound teachings. The Universal call to Holiness is a teaching of the Roman Catholic Church that all of us are called to be Holy (Math 5:48) so with this in mind, what better way to bring change to our hearts and be able to give to others all the things that Christ requires of us? Our Holy Father encourages Bishops, Clergy and Lay Faithful to bring transformation within the church that will go forth in Pastoral Activity, conversions especially amongst our youth and the proclamation of the Gospels. Please, please be encouraged to attend this retreat where we can recommit and become the missionary disciples that are so needed in Gibraltar. His Lordship has written an invitation letter which we will be giving out shortly as we
www.uponthisrock.gi
approach people and invite them via our parish priests. For more info please don’t hesitate to contact me, God Bless, Joanna (58008446)
5
Re por ts f rom t h e S e c u l ar F r an c i s c an ’s E urop ean Cong res s
T
he Third European Congress of the European Secular Franciscan Fraternities took place in Kaunas, Lithuania at the end of August. It was an opportunity to meet, pray and share our experiences with our brothers and sisters of OFS and YouFra - Europe. The theme was “Whoever believes in me, rivers of living water will flow from within him” (Jn 7, 38) Members of 23 nationalities came to Kaunas, to be united by God, and meditate on Franciscan Spirituality. During this time there was prayer, the Eucharist and conferences, but the organizers, Lithuanian OFS and YouFra, also took us around Lithuania. The two first days we focused on meditating on our Christian lives, as the main vocation of Disciples of Christ. We took part in the Eucharist every day and worked in groups, sharing our private experiences, as Franciscan Fraternity Members. Very crucial were conferences
6
The Third European Congress of OFS and YouFra in Lithuania
based on how we should cooperate with the Holy Spirit, in daily life. On the Wednesday we began exploring a lot of places in the Republic of Lithuania. Firstly The Marian Sanctuary in Siluva. This is where one of the earliest revelations of the Blessed Mary in Europe occurred. Mary appeared pointing to the Catholic faith, which was lost, because of the country’s reformation. Next was the Hill of the Crosses, in the centre of Lithuania, this area contains over 100,000 crosses. In 1993, the hill was visited by John Paul II during his Pilgrimage to Lithuania. During our afternoon service a priest blessed a cross carved by a local man, which was our gift. On Thursday, the Congress took part in the “mercy service”. We were divided into different groups, serving the old, sick, addicted, lowly and the orphans. It was such a great experience of Christian sacrifice and God’s love for others, especially those who need attention and help.
Tweet with us!
I would like to highlight one thing in particular because it is impossible to write about everything we did and everywhere we went. The Samogitian Calvary merits our attention. This place is typical for many reasons. The church posses the relics of the Holy Cross, exposed in the temple. The name of Calvary indicates the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ. There is a very old tradition, that local people and visitors take part in the Stations of the Cross. Instead of 14 stations, the Calvary has 20 stations, meditating on the Sorrowful Passion of Jesus Christ. You might ask how long does this service take? The answer is about three hours. Each station is a shrine connecting to the pain and sorrow of Jesus. In the evening we participated in the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at the Cathedral of Kaunas. It was precious time, when we could feel the intimacy of Christ. Many of us experienced a personal encounter with God,
@uponthisrockmag
praying, singing and with many participating in the sacrament of penance. Sunday saw the conclusion of the Third European Congress of OFS and YouFra. The Mass in Kaunas closed our gathering in Lithuania. During the concluding meeting that day the next country to host the 4th Congress was chosen, it will be held in Spain. Our neighbours will be the stewards of the next Franciscans Fraternity meeting. It was a time of growing in faith, making a bigger commitment to God, and the reality that we are the brothers and sisters of Christ. I am sure this Congress will bring good spiritual fruits, maybe we need to wait for them, but we hope the fruits of the spiritual struggle and commitment in Lithuania 2018 will come soon. God bless. Fr. Peter Gasiorek
Text and photos courtesy of the OFS and YouFra
This 3rd European international congress of OFS & YOUFRA in Lithuania presented the icon of Our Lady of the Franciscan Family’s first journey to the Ukraine.
It will travel around Europe for the next 3 years, until it ends up in Spain which will be the next country to host the OFS & YouFra European Congress. As it travels it will be hosted in various Parish Churches in each country as well as people’s homes, so that families can make their petitions to Our Lady for conversion and healing for themselves and their countries. Dianne Fisher
A
s usual in any Franciscan gathering we felt at home immediately. Even though many came from different countries and spoke languages we couldn’t
understand, one thing was understood by all and that is our love for Jesus! The music was amazing, especially the worship songs. It was tiring at times because we travelled quite a bit but always the Franciscan spirit of joy was felt. So proud to belong to the universal Franciscan Family! Praise be to Jesus and thanks to Our Blessed Lady who accompanied us always! (Liz Francis) It is hard to express in words the experience I had in the OFS & YouFra European Congress so I would like to refer to the song “All over the world the Spirit is moving” and Lithuania was no exception! Once again I saw the spirit of community among different European countries, coming together as a huge family of faith. This can only happen with Christ at the
centre of it all. It is only then that the experience becomes an Encounter with the Lord and with each other. Attitudes, expressions, smiles and the spirit of service all seems to happen. So it becomes our duty to try and reach out to others. Amen. Victor Francis
T
his is a gathering where all the different delegations from European nations meet, united by fraternal love. This love we share is “Jesus!” Jesus has strengthened our bonds and has opened our hearts to work for the Franciscan ideal and to serve within the Catholic Church. Xavier Frendo
W
e all came to this conference in the name of Jesus Christ. This gathering has been
Join us on Facebook
prepared in prayer. We were in permanent contact with God individually or together but always connected with God. We learned that when good desires and ideas come to us we “GO - AND DON’T LET IT GO” We follow Jesus, we forgive and persevere always in prayer and love. In the end it’s not our own doing but it’s God’s plan that will be always the perfect one. We don’t close our hearts to the Holy Spirit:- “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN ME RIVERS OF LIVING WATER WILL FLOW FROM WITHIN US”. Calvary is carrying the cross that leads us to eternal life. Once Mother Theresa, talking about the freedom in Jesus, said that the bond and love that he gives us, is his eternal gift. Nicole Lopez
7
Bishop Carmel Zammit’s Appeal
Urgent appeal for West to save Plan to oust Christians from the region according to Archbishop Jacques KURDISH authorities in north-east Syria are determined to drive out Christians from the region, according to a senior Church leader, who says “the West cannot keep silent”. Describing a programme of discrimination against Christians, Archbishop Jacques Behnan Hindo of HassakéNisibi accused the Democratic Federation of Northern Syria (DFNS), the Kurdish selfgoverning regional authority, of unfairly closing Catholic schools in north-east Syria. Speaking to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, the prelate stated that the DFNS were targeting 85-year-old Christian institutions in the towns of Qamishli, Darbasiyah and Malikiyah because of their refusal to comply with the new Kurdish curriculum. Describing the Kurds’ interference with Church-run schools, he said: “The Kurdish officials had assured us that they would not even look at the private [Catholic] schools, but they not only looked at them,
8
they closed them.” Archbishop Hindo stated that the schools’ closure is part of a plan to “oust” Christians from the area, adding: “For years I have been saying that the Kurds are trying to eliminate the Christian presence in this part of Syria.” The archbishop said: “Since the beginning of the year, the local government has already taken possession of about 100 state-run schools and introduced their own curriculum and textbooks.” The Syriac Catholic prelate added: “They do not want us to instruct pupils in the liturgical language, Syriac, and they do not want us to teach history because they prefer to drum their own history into the heads of pupils.”
Archbishop Hindo stated his concerns for the remaining Christian schools in the region, including six in Hassaké. Although the Syrian government does not officially recognise the DFNS, the archbishop noted the Kurds benefit from international political assistance. He said: “To date, Kurds make up only 20 percent of the population, but, thanks to Western support, [they] are disproportionately represented in the local government.” Highlighting Kurdish discrimination against Christians, the archbishop said: “The West cannot keep silent… You are obligated to bring everything that is happening out into the open and prevent further violations of our rights and
further threats to our presence in this region.”
He also said: “We have been warning against this danger since at least 2015. They want to oust us Christians to strengthen their own presence.”
In 2015 Kurdish forces defeated Daesh (ISIS) which had occupied 35 Christian villages in Hassaké province but the faithful complained when the Kurds failed to relinquish control for months on end. The Kurdish Peoples Protection Unit (YPG) is also alleged in 2017 to have entered into a non-aggression land pact with Daesh. ACN’s ‘Persecuted and Forgotten? - A Report on Christians Oppressed for their Faith’, describes how Archbishop Hindo accused the YPG of violence and intimidation against Christians in Hassaké. ‘Persecuted and Forgotten?’ quotes the archbishop saying: “The epicentre of their raids and acts of force is always the area of the six churches, where most of the Christians live. In many cases, they expelled the Christians from their homes under the threat of Kalashnikovs. And where [the YPG] enter, they
Upon This Rock is online
By John Pontifex and Murcadha O Flaherty
Syria’s religious
minorities
projects every year, the charity provides emergency support for people experiencing persecution, transport for clergy and lay Church workers, Child’s Bibles, media and evangelisation projects, churches, Mass stipends and other support for priests and nuns and training for seminarians. Aid to the Church in Need UK is a registered charity in England and
loot everything.” Describing how he had a near escape when gunshots were fired through the window of his home, the archbishop said: “At that moment, the area was presided by Kurdish militias, and there were no other armed persons nearby.” According to media reports, Archbishop Hindo held an unidentified extremist Kurdish group responsible for the killing of 13 Christians and six Muslims at two Christian-owned restaurants in Qamishli and Hassaké in December 2015. Since the start of the conflict in 2011, ACN has provided more than £22.5 million (€25m) for Syria, providing emergency aid
Wales (1097984) and Scotland (SC040748). ACN’s UK office is in Sutton, Surrey and there is a Scottish office in Motherwell, near Glasgow and another office based in Lancaster that covers the North-West.
Photo: Syria_Syriac-Catholic Archbishop Behnan Hindo of Hassaké-Nisibi © ACN www.acnuk.org
for Christian families and others in desperate need. Aid to the Church in Need is a Pontifical Foundation directly under the Holy See. As a Catholic charity, ACN supports the faithful wherever they are persecuted, oppressed or in need through information, prayer, and action. Founded in 1947 by Fr. Werenfried van Straaten, whom Pope St. John Paul II named “An outstanding Apostle of Charity”, the organisation is now at work in 140 countries throughout the world. Undertaking thousands of
The world is largely silent in the face of Christian persecution. The scale of the problem is so great, silence is no longer acceptable. Persecuted Christians need YOU - and all of us! Together our prayers and actions can make a difference. You can PLEDGE YOUR SOLIDARITY by: • Praying ACN’s Prayer found in leaflets in your local Church, or your own prayers for Persecuted Christians in danger. • Sharing this article and Christian Persecution facts with others so that all understand the need.
www.uponthisrock.gi
Donation Details:
Bishop Carmel Zammit Lenten Appeal for‘Aid to the Church in Need’, Gibraltar International Bank, Account Name: ‘Trustees RCC/CAN’ Account Number: 00812022, Sort Code: 60-83-14.
9
El Camino de Santiago My Journey T
Part Three
he conclusion of this serialised story of three friends walking the Camino de Santiago.
Thursday 31st May
Completely rested, although rather footsore, we set off on this the penultimate leg of our journey. Halfway through the morning, as we walked along a rather stony path parallel to a main road, the sky began to darken. We had no other recourse but to put on our jackets and cloaks as the rain began to come down heavily. This, however, did not last long. It soon turned from a downpour to a light drizzle, we continued
10
Tweet with us!
@uponthisrockmag
feeling quite elated and with a great zeal to continue pressing on, come what may. After that, the day brightened up somewhat. The temperature was still quite low but this motivated us to enjoy the passing scenery and smell the aroma of the wet earth around us; that is, when whiffs of cattle manure did not also assail our nostrils. After a meal at a wayside restaurant, almost filled to the rafters with pilgrim travellers of all nationalities, we continued our journey, arriving at RĂşa, having completed another 19 kilometres. Now, only one more stage in the Camino remained. Our final destination was just
Text: Manolo Galliano
a day and a relatively short distance away.
Friday 1st June
We set off again, early in the morning, past Pedrouzo, ascending up to Amenal and down again to Lavacolla. Greeting and chatting with the many others on this mass movement of peoples, it was reminiscent sometimes of scenes from the Exodus. We often had to make way for individual or groups of cyclists who were also undertaking the Camino, almost always startling us, as they pedalled past rapidly with their bells ringing and the usual greetings sounding in our ears. Also making the journey, although these were few in numbers, were the pilgrims who were staying in albergues (hostels or inns) and who had to carry all their clothes and essential items on their backs. Just seeing them trundling on and on with so much weight on their backs, motivated us and made light of our own relatively lightweight haversacks.
At around 2.30pm we reached the Monte de Gozo. A slight hump on a hill, where we could just about make out Santiago de Compostela and the impressive spires of its age-old cathedral. The sun finally shone and the grey clouds dispersed, the heat making our continuing journey up through the outskirts of the city that much more difficult. It led us to commiserate with those thousands of people who had no other choice but to undertake the Camino in the middle of the summer months, either for exigencies of work or because of school holidays. Soon we were making our way through ‘el casco antiguo’ (the old quarter). The route, clearly marked by bronze scallop shells set intermittently on the pavement, took us finally to the side entrance at the back of the huge cathedral. We immediately joined the long queue to visit and pay our respects to the Saint. The tomb is situated just below the main altar and acceded to through some underground steps. Then off we went to the Plaza del Obradorio, that huge square in front of the main façade of the Cathedral. Here we took photos of ourselves as evidence that we had completed our long personal journey of 129 kilometres. We felt both elated at having accomplished this feat, but we were also sad that the long journey was finally over; however, there was also the definite resolve to repeat this wonderful experience once more and to endeavour to advise others to join us in this enterprise. All that remained was to report, with our Pilgrims’ Passports, at the Acogida del Peregrino
FUNDING AVAILABLE
The Christian Mission Trust provides local Christians with donations for evangelistic initiatives and outreaches. The Trust is ecumenical and has provided money to many groups, individuals and churches during the last 12 years. It is run by a Board of Trustees. We invite applications for funding from anyone who wishes to launch an evangelistic initiative or who needs support for an existing Christian missionary activity. Please write to: The Chairman, Christian Mission Trust, 4 South Pavilion Road, Gibraltar.
(Office of the Pilgrims). We filled in some forms and were soon presented with the ‘Compostela’, an illuminated certificate, with our names in Latin, attesting that we had completed our journey to the Saint’s tomb. This was followed the next day by our participation in a packed Pilgrim’s Mass. Ending with the traditional swinging of the 53 kilogram botafumeiro (Galician for thurible or censer), manoeuvred by eight men, known as ‘tiraboleiros’. This censer hangs from the main dome and as it is swings towards the side naves, it acquires huge speed, filling the inside of the Cathedral with incense. All in all, this has been a long spiritual journey, not necessarily a religious one, lasting a mere six days, but which has given me the opportunity to have time
Join us on Facebook
Photos: Victor M. Hermida
for myself, to put my thoughts in order, to refresh my spirit. In a sense, because of the tiredness of the body and the monotonous daily trekking on and on, it has also heightened my awareness of the beauty of my surroundings and the passing friendship of peoples, of all classes, who have passed by me on this Camino, carrying their haversacks of problems and illusions, with a positive and unwavering sense of humility and joy. The world, with all its strife and wars, corruption and jealousies, would be a much better place if only people could take the time to undertake a personal journey such as this, where they could leave all their problems behind and find peace in Nature, in their fellow beings and with God.
11
SAMUEL - God’s Special Gift
A Story by Manolo Galliano to be serialised over the coming months. Illustration by a Religious Sister who wished to remain anonymous
Continuing from Issue 207
Chapter 1 Part 2
Last month Samuel lost his carer Hanna and his sister Rachel had to break the news “Samuel, Hannah is gone. An angel came and took her away to join Mama in heaven. Do you understand, Samuel? Don’t cry, little brother, everything will be alright”. For a few minutes he relaxed in her arms as she rocked him back and forth gently, but the very next moment she felt herself reeling backwards, as with a loud howl, he pushed her away violently. Panic-stricken, he struggled to get up, and stepping over his sister, who lay in an unceremonious heap on the floor, he rushed out of the room. Down the steps he fled, in his bare feet, his short tunic flying, into the courtyard and past the groups of wailing black-clad women. To his great surprise, he saw that the main gate, which was always kept securely locked whenever he was around, had
12
This is the story of Samuel, a child with a mental disability, and his encounter with Jesus, who became his very special friend. been left slightly ajar. Without another thought he ran through it and for the very first time in his life, ventured out into the unknown. Instinctively, as if realising that he would have a better chance of getting away, he veered to the left, away from the outskirts of the town and towards the surrounding low hills. He ran haphazardly over gentle slopes and ravines, past isolated mud-walled farmhouses nestling in the undulating plains, until, at last, he reached a small wooded area. Being completely out of breath, he sat down on a large boulder and examined his bare feet, which were bleeding in some places from having run over the rough terrain. Samuel felt very sorry for himself - he was tired and thirsty, hungry, hurt and lost and immediately he began to cry. Suddenly, he heard a voice behind him saying, “Little boy, why are you crying?” He turned around but could not quite make out the tall figure silhouetted against the noonday sun. Squinting up at the stranger,
Samuel sobbed, “Hannah has been stolen by an angel, the one who took Mama away. And I ran away and now my feet hurt!” Even before he had finished speaking, he felt strong arms picking him up and enfolding him. All his fears left him and his tears ceased immediately as a sense of peace totally engulfed him. He then felt himself being carried for a short distance, until presently he heard the gentle gurgling of water. The next thing he knew, he was being deposited by the pebbly bank of a fast-flowing stream. When Samuel saw the stream, he could not resist the temptation of rushing right in and jumping up and down joyfully in the cool, refreshing water. After splashing around for a while and getting drenched in the process, he decided to take a rest and go and sit down beside the stranger. “I’m Samuel,” he said, “and I’m hungry!” The man replied, “And I’m Jesus, and I would like to be your friend, your very special friend”. The unknown man took some dried dates and a barley loaf out of a pouch that he was carrying. He blessed and broke the bread and gave Samuel a large chunk together with some of the dates and they began to eat. As he munched noisily, Samuel glanced up at Jesus, who was scattering some crumbs of bread on the grass. “You see, Samuel,” he said, “you are not the only hungry one here.” He pointed to some sparrows that had flown down and were hopping timidly towards the fallen morsels. “Our Father in Heaven, has, in His great goodness, created
all things and He loves all His creatures with an everlasting love. He loves these birds, but He especially loves you, Samuel, because you are a very special child.” “Then, why doesn’t he love Hannah and Mama also? Why doesn’t He?!” Samuel retorted angrily. Jesus looked at him tenderly and replied, “My dear, dear child, He has sent for them so that they can be with Him forever because He loves them very much and needs them with Him. He also needs you very much, and I’ll tell you a small secret. Some day, quite soon, you, little Samuel, will be doing something very important for Him and for me. So much so, that for all ages people will be talking about it.” Samuel shrugged his shoulders and suddenly got up and chased all the birds away which instantly flew up into the bright blue sky. Jesus called him over, “You know, Samuel, my own father, Joseph, died last year and I also felt very sad and cried a lot. Both my mother and I miss him very much because he was a very good man.” He continued, “In the same way as those sparrows have flown up to the sky, your Mama and Hannah and my father have also been taken up to Heaven. They are now at peace and much happier than they have ever been, for very soon they will be in the Heavenly Paradise forever.” Samuel looked up at Jesus and stared deeply into his dark brown eyes. Something in his heart told him that he had been speaking the truth. Jesus smiled down at him, as if knowing
Upon This Rock is online
what he was thinking and told him, “Come on, little sparrow, hop onto my back and I will carry you back home before they start sending out search parties looking for you.” Samuel jumped onto Jesus’ back and held tightly to him as he was carried dizzily over plains and slopes all the way up to the crest of hills where Nazareth was situated. Before they had even sighted Samuel’s home, they saw his father, Jacob, running down to meet them, followed by his daughter Rachel and some of the servants. Samuel was afraid that his father would be very angry with him and would punish him severely. He closed his eyes tightly and clung closer to Jesus, but this was to no avail, because immediately he felt himself being lowered carefully but firmly by Jesus onto the ground. He opened his eyes again, and there in front of him he saw his father looking all dishevelled, kneeling down before him, stretching out his arms to him. Suddenly, he was being kissed, caressed and embraced by him, and held so tightly that he found
it hard to breathe. Jacob kept repeating again and again, “My son, my son, thank heaven you are alive and well. Please forgive me, Samuel, for treating you so badly!” Samuel was quite amazed to see and hear his father, always so dignified and distant, behaving like this, especially as he never seemed to have time for him. He was further surprised when his sister, instead of being furious with him for having pushed her earlier, also ran to him and hugged and kissed him. He didn’t quite know what was worse - the expected punishment or having his sister’s tears wetting his face. Looking up at his father and tugging at his sleeve, he pointed at Jesus and said “Papa, this is Jesus, my special friend.” Jacob turned to him and said, “Yes, you must be the son of Joseph, the carpenter, bless his soul. How can I ever thank you enough for bringing back Samuel to me? Because, my son, who I thought was dead or lost has been brought back to me, alive and well. So therefore, today will be a day of great celebration in my household.
But, above all, I have also discovered, at long last, how precious this son of mine is to me. And by recovering him, I have also found peace and joy in my heart. May the Lord’s name be praised forever.” Jesus then lifted his eyes up to heaven and said in a loud voice, “Father, Lord in Heaven and Earth, I also thank you, because You have shown to the unlearned what You have hidden from the wise and learned,” and turning to Jacob, he told him, “Go, therefore in peace, Jacob, and remember that the Kingdom of God belongs to such as Samuel. Whoever does not receive the Kingdom like a child, will never enter it.” He then bent over Samuel and laying his hands on his head, blessed him and made his way back to Nazareth. Samuel watched him leaving and shouted after him, “Jesus, I love you.” Jesus looked back and said, “And I love you too, little sparrow, so be happy for one of these days we’ll meet again.” Samuel kept waving to him until he disappeared behind a ridge.
www.uponthisrock.gi
Then, turning to his father, asked him, “Papa, can we go home now? I’m still hungry.” Jacob looked at his son with affection and replied, “Yes, my child, let us all go home and I promise that from this day on, you will never again be hungry for food or for love.” And picking him up tenderly, he made his way back home, followed by Rachel and the servants. To be continued
13
As the seasons change, Anne Mesilio asks...
S.A.D.? Are you feeling
14
recognized Seasonal Affective Disorder or winter blues. It is a mood disorder associated with seasonal changes and the corresponding shift in our biological internal clock. OK. Surely this begs the question, what puts the sad in S.A.D.? Remember, sadness is one of the commonest and natural human emotions related to loss and disappointment. I’ll remind you of the wedding in Alameda Gardens, that Saturday in September when the disappointment of the sudden rain threatened to spoil the day. Far from it, if anything it just added to the general gaiety simply because not one person would have it otherwise! There is no doubt that most people feel more cheerful when the sun shines and feel the ache of this loss on gloomier greyer winter days. There can be a drab emptiness to these times and it reminds me of the Greek goddess Peresphone, whose return to the underworld in autumn made the flowers to droop and the birds to cease their singing, all mourning her going. Enough to make anyone sad, but look around, we are blessed with autumn flowers, the wonder of changing colours, especially in the leaves of the
Tweet with us!
trees, a fleeting glory to be sure, but one to be exulted in. Not all of the birds have abandoned us for warmer climes, but there is certainly a scaling back as nature prepares for winter’s sleep. Our days are shorter and our nights longer but thankfully in Gibraltar we do enjoy the light of many sunshine days. When you really think about it, it is not all doom and gloom at this time of year. The Christmas festivities shine a light on winter darkness as we celebrate the Lord’s birth. A time of joy and family celebration. Feeling sad can certainly go a bit deeper and become depression, which is much more than a fit of the blues. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. Depression can cause deep emotional pain both to the person experiencing it and, often, to that person’s close family and friends. Feeling alone can add to the helplessness often experienced and it is necessary to be able to reach out and seek help. Suicide, the act of taking one’s own life, is a tragic event and in recent years has actually been on the rise. The act of suicide has been documented since antiquity and it remains an act of desperate recklessness by someone in intense pain wanting their pain to stop. Bears hibernate in winter and, however alluring, that idea it is not for us humans. However, we can simplify our way of living. I recall the resilience of the human spirit on that rainy wedding day, when the ‘Wedding March’ could have become ‘Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head’. The bride set the tone as she smiled positively and came to meet her husband to be, trailing her train
@uponthisrockmag
of sparkling raindrops! There are so many ways of coping with feeling S.A.D. I would suggest a few as follows, please feel free to add your own. Go on, surprise yourself. Learn something new, cook, bake, sew, paint, potter, pray, go fishing, walking, running, write poetry, letters, real ones, not email or text notes, play the piano, the list is endless. Now I am going to surprise you! Bring back talking, yes, that’s what I said! Previous generations could never have imagined how technology has advanced the art of communication, but ironically, we are speaking to each other less and less! How about choosing a day to go social media free? Ah, gives one quivers of anxiety no doubt. Be brave and try it, switch off phones and devices and sit around and use those vocal chords. You may be amazed to rediscover the joys of talking and learning that those close to you have opinions, dreams and fears to share. Humour is a different way of looking at truth, and laughter stimulates the creative side of the brain. When has a good laugh not been the best medicine? Maybe we should redefine our thinking and positively welcome winter as the season of opportunity. Emerge from it satisfied with our accomplishments and ourselves. Stay optimistic. If winter comes, can spring be far behind? If the topics on these pages have affected you please talk to your parish priest, alternatively GibSams may be able to help. Twitter: @gibsams. The Freephone Helpline
Illustration. Running From the Rain at Europa Point. A.Sargent
I
t rained, well actually it poured, at 2pm precisely on Saturday 8th September. It was to a deluge of raindrops that the bride made her way as with a blossoming of umbrellas we all stood to greet her. Honestly, the rain just added its own mischievous twist to what went on to be a lovely day of laughter and joy. “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” describes autumn in a well known poem by John Keats which heralds winter as we store the harvest of the seasons. I would like to make that Alameda wedding a beacon of light for the days ahead. Let me tell you why. As the year slips into winter in the Northern Hemisphere we often hear, and perhaps more often these days, people mention how ‘down’ they feel, there is even a colour to describe it too, ‘blue’. Mmmm, a pity really as blue is one of the three primary colours, of the colour whose hue is that of the clear sky and also used to describe low spirits, a blue funk. It is a safe assumption that most of us have either heard these words or indeed maybe used them to describe feeling sad, or in this case S.A.D. This is a
116123 is now operational on Saturday and Sunday from 1900 (7pm) to midnight and from Monday to Friday 4pm to midnight.
Simcha Fisher asked in her blog in the National Catholic Registar some time ago… .
not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of. 2281 Suicide contradicts the natural inclination of the human being to preserve and perpetuate his life. It is gravely contrary to the just love of self. It likewise offends love of neighbour because it unjustly breaks the ties of solidarity with family, nation, and other human societies to which we continue to have obligations. Suicide is contrary to love for the living God. 2282 If suicide is committed with the intention of setting an example, especially to the young, it also takes on the gravity of scandal. Voluntary co-operation in suicide is contrary to the moral law. Many people conclude that the Church therefore claims that everyone who commits suicide goes straight to Hell, because their last act before dying is a mortal sin. However, the next paragraph from the Catechism says this: Grave psychological
disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide. The act itself is always a grave matter; but for an action to be a mortal sin, the person must know that it is a grave matter, and he must do it voluntarily. The modern Church understands that depression and other psychological disturbances that might lead a person to suicide are true illnesses, which can significantly mitigate both a person’s understanding and free will. Moreover, even if a person’s death seems quick, with no time to repent before the end, we have no way of knowing what happens between their soul and a merciful God, who wants to bring all of His children home to Himself: 2283 We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives. This is not to say that we
should assume that everyone who commits suicide becomes reconciled to God. All men and women are free to choose God or to reject Him; so it would be wrong to presume that all souls are saved. On the contrary, our faith in the mercy of God commands that we pray for all the living and for all the dead. We have no right to presume either that someone who has died is in Hell or (if he’s not a saint!) that he’s in Heaven. Prayer is always appropriate, and is always our duty. It would also behoove us, as Catholics, to educate ourselves about depression and other mental illnesses. We do not believe in a Mental Prosperity Gospel, where God rewards His faithful ones with a sense of well-being and good cheer. A good many of the saints were as close to God as they could come -- Mother Teresa comes to mind -- and yet they struggled constantly against the darkness. Depression and mental illness are not a sign of personal sin, but one of many signs of the weakness we all inherited when Adam sinned. tinyurl.com/utr-sad-article
“WHAT DOES THE CHURCH TEACH ABOUT SUICIDE?”
From the Catechism: 2280 Everyone is responsible for his life before God who has given it to him. It is God who remains the sovereign Master of life. We are obliged to accept life gratefully and preserve it for his honour and the salvation of our souls. We are stewards,
Join us on Facebook
15