The Rejected

"And all is at one,
in keeping us secret,
half out of shame perhaps,
half out of inexpressible hope"
Rilke, Duino Elegies

The things we say, the position we assume towards others, can cost. They can bring upon us catholics the hilariousness of colleagues, perhaps the hostility of the boss; sometimes even physical violence. We can say, however, that we're not badly off, it is easier here than in other parts of the world. We risk very little: only our face. In the middle east, in places where christians had already been living for generations when Mohammed was a child, today violence makes christians flee if only they can. Elsewhere things are even worse. In certain parts of India if people get to know that you are a christian, you are cast out. Thrown out of the caste system, you are no longer part of the community; you are rejected, no longer considered a man. There is no direct violence; but your water and gas supplies are shut off, they will not sell you food or even speak to you. And you had better pray not to fall ill.

Two thousand years of christianity have changed mankind a little. We can no longer ignore those who die of hunger next to us. Children's suffering tears us, tears move us. 

But it is not like this everywhere. Just move a little, leave christendom, and you will see supreme disinterest for others, for those we christians call "our neighbour", reappear. For all others, all over the world, the christian is the different one, the stranger, just as for the christian all others are his neighbour, his brother.

Taking care of the other is not obvious; nor is it obvious that a community look after those who cannot take care of themselves on their own, even when they are not part of the community itself. The orphanage, the hospital, the elder care centre are not obvious. Did you notice that in films about far countries and even in japanese cartoons this sort of building almost always has a cross, and is often run by religious? Without that cross those buildings would not exist. 
Little by little, the truth, the better humanity rising from christian history caused the spring of a new conscience never existed before. Also the believers in different faiths, also the non believer must agree tha this kind of life is better, fuller, worthier; and will follow the same way. But with what purpose, what ideal surge?

Without Christ one cannot understand why bother to take care of the weak, the insignificant, those who don't count. An orphan who dies of hunger, where there are no christians, quickly becomes a body to bury. Or worse.

Christians are a nuisance for this reason too, because they don't accept that humanity be destroyed, used by the one in power and discarded once useless. For this reason too they are driven away everywhere, as the Pope recently denounced. Strangers in their own countries, always exiled, silenced. Yet never subdued, always ready to witness a joy present even in the midst of suffering, a joy stronger than persecution. Always ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks them for a reason for their hope.