“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”

Dear Friend,

I asked Gerardo, a young journalist working with the Jesuit-run Radio Progreso in Honduras, why he continued to do his work despite the death threats he has received. He answered, “because we need to be light in the darkness.”

 

Mother and child in South Sudan. Photo: Sergi Cámara/Entreculturas.

Gerardo’s words and life bear witness to John’s Gospel on Christmas day: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”

Gerardo knows what these words mean in Honduras. It is a call to defend the rights of people whose most basic human rights are violated; to stand in solidarity with land defenders fighting to protect their life-giving resources. It means to amplify the voices of poor and marginalized people, even at the cost of one’s life. Berta Caceres, a renowned environmental activist and Indigenous leader, was murdered in 2016 for doing just that. People like Gerardo and Berta shine a light so darkness in Honduras can be overcome.

There is much darkness in our lives today, in a world made bleaker by COVID-19. The pandemic has exposed deep divisions in our society, revealing inequalities and injustices that affect young people more severely. Over 11 million girls worldwide, mostly in Africa, Asia and Latin America, risk never to return to school after the pandemic-enforced school closures. Violence, poverty and early marriage are some of the factors that prevent them from going back. The long term implications of this loss of human potential are immeasurable.

As we prepare for Christmas, let us ask ourselves what it means for us to be a beacon of light. Unless we are willing to follow Jesus and work for justice for those who are hungry, thirsty, in prison or poor and marginalized, the darkness will overcome us.

This Christmas, we have the opportunity to be a light in the darkness by supporting CJI and one of its many projects worldwide which are fighting darkness. Here we focus on four examples of Jesuit projects which shine light in the darkness:

• Moran Memorial School in Nepal shines a light by ensuring access to quality education for poor children in the tea estates and those living in surrounding villages. Their parents are their light by ensuring that they get an education and help break the cycle of poverty.

• Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) in South Sudan shines a light by providing education to forcibly displaced children who would otherwise never have an opportunity to go to school. Angelina Ayen Majak calls herself “a woman of courage” and has pursued her education “to inspire and empower other youth.” In so doing, she shines a light in the darkness.

• The Jesuits in Haiti are rebuilding lives and homes after an earthquake hit the country on August 14. They wrote their challenge is to “transform this tragedy into an opportunity for human and socio- economic development for the people who are poor and feel abandoned.” By so doing they can be a light that conquers darkness.

• Radio Progreso-ERIC (Reflection, Research and Communications Team) in Honduras brings light to the darkness through the courageous work of team members like Gerardo, and the thousands of community leaders who risk their lives to defend their rights and those of their communities.

This Christmas, will you help their light shine in the darkness by supporting CJI’s work and our many projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America? Will you walk alongside people who experience poverty, exclusion, and injustice? Will you help defend their human rights, give them access to education, and protect the environment?

Jesus brings light to those who walk and live in darkness. With your generous support you too are shining a light.

With gratitude, I wish you and your family a blessed Christmas!

Jenny Cafiso
Executive Director

Banner photo: Students from St Mark’s Primary School in Maban, South Sudan listen to radio classes by Radio Miraya with instruction from JRS staff. Credit: JRS South Sudan.