By Fr. Richard Ho Lung, Contributor 
Ho Lung
ONCE MORE we see the world's richest, most progressive and economically successful country being beset by misfortune. There was the unspeakable tragedy of 9/11, the Enron scandal among others, mass shootings in schools by young people themselves, and now the sinister and invisible presence of the sniper who has terrorised the inhabitants of the most powerful city on earth.
As we face this new terror it appears that we cannot seem to rid ourselves of the darkness that has covered the world. Even Jamaica cannot distance itself from these events as we hear of a Jamaican connection, however distant, to these latest killings. What is this evil within man and which also surrounds him?
The emptiness and hopelessness of our times, I believe, is related to the deterioration of our educational system, not just our local system but worldwide as well. The failure of a well-rounded education results in the minds of whole generations becoming arid wastelands of technological facts, bits and bytes of useless data. Technology is emphasised to the extent that education is merely a means to a mechanical performance, an intellectual game, rather than a wholistic approach to creating compassionate, thoughtful individuals who are rational yet profoundly moral as well.
Another contribution to this pervasive gloom is the sin of infidelity. In every relationship, on a personal and on a societal level, trust and faithfulness are implicit. When that trust is broken, when being faithful is deemed unimportant and outdated, then there is the inevitability of broken families, shattered relationships, and ultimately social breakdown.
When politicians focus on the differences between them, instead of uniting for a greater cause, then the vision of building a nation of peace, justice, and moral values will be lost. This vision of creating a better world has become corroded by selfishness and hatred in the hearts of men, particularly our nation's leaders.
We can only look at the examples of Israel and the Palestinians, India and Pakistan, the USA and Iraq, etc. Division, destruction, darkness are the magnets which appear to attract our world today.
From the depths of our hearts as Christians we cry, "Enough!" It's time for the Kingdom of God to be established. Man needs to build a City of God with laws and rulers, but also with the freedom and inspiration of the Spirit; with culture that is not just one of style, but also of substance and values. It's time for man to redefine himself as a child of God, who is loved by God and who is destined for eternal happiness; a happiness to be mirrored here on earth.
Man shouldn't consider himself nor should he be considered merely as a materialistic and communal being, but as someone with a divine existence within himself and who has a divine purpose and meaning in life. Every man needs to find harmony and peace within himself, with his neighbour, and finally with his Maker. We are called to be a family united in Christ, possessing great spiritual wealth even here on earth.
In our own little nation we see a light beginning to shine. There is a great movement in the Catholic Church and in the other churches, to build the City of God. It is heart-warming and surprising too, at times, to see how self-sacrificing people can be and want to be because they desire to see God's Kingdom right now on earth - "Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven." There is a deep concern for following God's will and plan, a sincere love for the poor and rejected ones, and finally a growing awareness of God's presence within the individual and in the nation itself.
Evidence of this spreading light is seen in the many church-run soup kitchens and food distribution centres, prison ministries, homes for the homeless and abandoned such as the five residences our Brothers take care of, and many other outreach programmes. Although these works require considerable sacrifice from many individuals, they nonetheless bring with them the love, peace, and joy, which is the very heart of God.
Our hope, and the hope of the entire world lies in Christ. We are facing a serious crisis and the solution is found in Christ alone. We will have a perfect world when the two greatest Commandments are followed perfectly, the love of God and the love of neighbour.
The Rev. Fr. Richard Ho Lung, is Founder and Superior General of the Missionaries of the Poor.
