CAGLIER0 11
newsletter for Salesian
Missionary Animation
Publication of the missions sector for SDB communities and friends of the salesian mission
Jerusalem – growing friendship ft
Dear C nfreres
anc Friends.
A missionary is one who shares
Jesus· friendship with others by
proclaiming the good news of the
love of God - making known the
Father's love to all (cf. Jn 15:15).
The value of friendships come to
the fore in times of adversity. The
intensified experience of the
second wave of Covid-19
pandemic in the recent months in
India, Nepal. Sri Lanka and
Bangladesh has exhibited how
friends are ready to risk life itself
for taking care of each other and
the loved ones of their families,
irrespective of their caste, clan,
tribe or language. Over hundred
priests and religious in India have
lost their lives in the last tw o
months. Friendship in Christ
propels each one to give their
best in service. even in the face of
pain, loss, and death itself. Jesus·
words continue to ring true:
There is no greater love than to
lay down one's life for one's
friends (Jn 15:13).
Let us keep sharing true friendship
in Christ.
▀ Fr. Biju Michael, SDB
Regional Councillor
for South Asia
The three Abrahamic religions can be compared to three rivers. Before arriving
in Jerusalem. I thought that the inhabitants of this City, who draw water from
one or another of these three rivers. lived isolated from each other. This vision.
typical of the imagination of the tourist and pilgrim, does not sufficiently
describe the complex reality of this city. It takes a long time to adequately
investigate issues relating to religious affiliation, and it is necessary to stay in
Jerusalem and experience the daily life of the inhabitants.
After I lived a few years in Jerusalem I discovered, in fact. that there are some
channels that connect those three great rivers: attempts at dialogue that
promote friendship and collaboration at various levels. In particular. I
remember two significant moments that I personally experienced. The first was
an interrelig ious meeting at which the participants gathered to pray together
following a text suitable for everyone. The second moment was the Open Day
organized in the Salesian house in Jerusalem, which has played a significant
role in local history. Without any embarrassment whatsoever. the guests visited
the church and asked us Salesians various questions on religious topics. When
I was in Egypt, I couldn't even imagine that something like this could take place.
One might think that attempts at dialogue are of little
significance. because they do not give immediately
visible results on a large scale. Jerusalem is a ferment of
initiatives similarto those I referred to, yet their fruits are
not very evident yet. Don Bosco's words, however,
encourage us to keep going. To those of his family and
staff. who felt he was not sufficiently rewarded for his
love, care and work, he said, "Remember that the Lord
pays non secundum fructum, sed secundum laborem ·
(MB, vol. VII).
This shared effort, then, is necessary, and I think it is very positive for everyone
to meet people who believe in dialogue and friendship, and work to
promote their concrete realization; however, we must not forget that the
future we hope for and spend ourselves on remains in God's hands, more
than ours.
▀ Author:
Edwar Nazih Gobran
young Salesian from the
MOR Province (Europe),
Egyptian nationality
(Africa), currently in
Jerusalem (Asia) in the
third year of theological
studies.
