Intolerance.
This, according to experts, was the main theme covered in Quebec media during 2017.
“It has had an effect on all the news,” according to Jean-François Dumas,
president of Influence Communication. In an interview, he commented that “in
2016, fear was the key theme in the media; in 2017, intolerance was the
recurring theme in Quebec news.”
Intolerance.
It fuels wars, gives rise to persecutions, holds onto grudges. It divides
families, communities and peoples. It assaults, hurts and kills.
Jesus died
on the cross, a victim of intolerance. Leaders of that time could not tolerate
the interest he garnered, the message he proclaimed, or his actions which spoke
so powerfully. They could have entered into dialogue with him. They could have tried
to understand him. It was easier to just get rid of him.
And yet,
Jesus did not close the door on anyone. He engaged with people in authority
like Nicodemus and with regular folk like the Samaritan woman. He visited the
rich like Zacchaeus and Simon and shared table fellowship with the poor like
Lazarus, Mary and Martha. As they nailed him to the cross, he prayed that his
executioners would be forgiven.
“Love your
enemies,” he said, and “do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,
pray for those who abuse you. If
anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who
takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.
Give to everyone who
begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have
them do to you.” (Luke 6, 27–31)
Jesus did
not only call for tolerance, but for love. He not only welcomed the other, he
set out to encounter the other. How different the world would be if we put his
teaching into practice, if we followed his example.
In a world
marked by intolerance and by fear of the other, the resurrection of Jesus
shines like a beacon which shows us a path of openness and trust. The God of
Jesus Christ does not differentiate between us, he welcomes us all as his
beloved children. Let us then live as brothers and sisters.
May 2018 be a
year characterized not only by tolerance, but by a spirit of welcoming, deep respect
and fruitful dialogue.
A blessed
Easter to all.
+ Paul-André Durocher
