Cardinal Bo of Myanmar: We are not alone in ‘the storm’

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

“Sometimes we pray: ‘Lord, remove the storm.’ But Jesus may first say: ‘My child, I am with you in the storm.’ This is an important difference. Faith does not always mean that there will be no storms. Faith means: We do not face the storms alone.”

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon, Myanmar, expressed this during Mass on the 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time.

In his homily, the President of the Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar reminded the faithful that, like the disciples who were afraid during the storm in the day’s Gospel passage according to Saint Matthew, they are to abandon their fear and take courage, knowing that the Lord is at their side.

The Cardinal recognised that the people of Myanmar have faced great suffering, but urged them to see God’s presence in the daily acts of others.

Myanmar has known many storms

Cardinal Bo said the readings speak very deeply to the situation in the country today, as “Myanmar has known many storms.”

In particular, he underlined that there have been storms of conflict and violence, of displacement and poverty, of fear and uncertainty, of grief and loss, which have “taken away homes, schools, livelihoods and sometimes the lives of loved ones.”

“Many families,” the Cardinal recognized, “are asking: ‘When will this storm end?’ Many young people are asking: ‘What kind of future will I have?’ Many parents worry: ‘Will my children be safe?’”

He acknowledged that some may even ask: “Where is God?”

In this context, Cardinal Bo noted, the first reading, in which God did not abandon Elijah even if it may have seemed that way, “gives us the answer.”

For God, he emphasised, was present, but Elijah had to learn to recognise Him. He would be found not in the great or spectacular events, as Elijah had expected, but in a “quiet” way.

God accompanies His people quietly

Cardinal Bo observed that God can be seen in “a mother comforting her child, a father protecting his family, a priest who remains with his people during difficult times, or religious sisters serving displaced families.”

At other times, the Cardinal continued, He is present through “someone who shares a little food with another hungry person; through a Christian who says: ‘I will not hate’; through a person who says: ‘I will choose peace’; through someone who says: ‘Let us reconcile.’”

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Cardinal Bo acknowledged that these may seem like small things, “but sometimes the gentle breeze of God is hidden in small acts of love.”

Enormous burdens upon young people

He also addressed words of faith and encouragement to young people, whom he recognised as carrying enormous burdens today.

Some, he said, “have had their education interrupted. Some have been separated from their families. Some have lost friends. Some are uncertain about their future,” while others “may be tempted to believe that their generation has no future.”

In this context, he called on young people not to surrender their future to hatred.

“Do not allow the wounds of today,” he said, “determine the whole story of your life.”

Men and women of conscience

He told them that they are not only victims of history, but can become builders of a new history and of peace.

Reminding them they could become teachers, doctors, engineers, farmers, journalists, religious, priests, parents, community leaders, he told them to above all, be “men and women of conscience.”

Telling them how important they and their talents are to Myanmar, Cardinal Bo insisted, “Jesus says to you today: ‘Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid.’”

He also said that in this “noisy world,” especially due to political noise and social media, which propagate fear, anger, propaganda and rumours, it can become hard to hear God’s voice. But, regardless, it is always there, and we must rediscover His voice.

Keep your eyes on Jesus

The Cardinal also reminded the faithful that Christ is with us, that faith always has the last word, and urged them to keep their eyes always on Jesus.

He invited the faithful to join him in praying to Jesus to accompany all the people of Myanmar and give them courage, wisdom and hearts for reconciliation.

Cardinal Bo concluded by praying for the day “when the storms cease, the tears are wiped away, families return home, children return to school, communities are rebuilt, and the people of Myanmar can once again live together in peace, dignity, justice and reconciliation. Amen.”