OMIWORLD
One thing the season of Lent reminds us of is the reality of pain and suffering. Christ went through pain to attain our healing and redemption. Amid this Lent in 2024, there is so much needless pain in the world. As pilgrims of hope in the world, we cannot be oblivious to the plight of so many who are experiencing pain: victims of man-made conflicts in Gaza, DR Congo, Ukraine, Haiti, Myanmar, Nigeria, etc. The world needs healing! Wars are causing so much pain. Let us all bring these sufferings of the redeemed, to the ‘wounded healer’, who is the Crucified Christ.
Furthermore, not so long ago, the world was menaced by COVID-19. Nowhere in the world did people not experience its merciless cruelty; poor or rich, they were all affected: thousands got sick and thousands perished from the face of the earth. There was a search for healing: believers stared to the heavens and called for divine intervention in prayer. Traditional healers turned to nature to find herbs that could heal the menace. Scientists spent time in the laboratories examining what COVID-19 was all about in the hope of finding a cure. In the end, vaccines were found. There should always be hope for healing, even for what looks incurable.
During this third week of Lent, it is fitting to intercede in prayer for all those who are sick. There are many in the world diagnosed with incurable diseases such as cancer. Certainly, we might know someone, living with cancer or recently succumbed to cancer. In my thoughts is Emerentiana, a young woman who served the Oblates at Doebra, Windhoek. She lost the battle against cancer last month, leaving an infant behind. The world needs healing! As pilgrims who share a common space with those in pain, it should be part of our mission to bring the pains of the world to the foot of the cross.
Kapena SHIMBOME, OMI
General Councillor for Africa-Madagascar
