By Fr. Philip Shano, SJ

On Palm Sunday, the church enters the doorway of the great mysteries of Holy Week. Jesus is approaching the holy city of Jerusalem, greeted by a jubilant crowd, with palms and shouts of Hosanna! Days later, Jesus faces a hostile crowd. Perhaps it is reminiscent of his experience in Nazareth, early in his public life, when he saw the fickle hometown crowd who wanted to throw him over a cliff. That shift came very quickly after the listening crowd had approved of what he said. The transformation of the crowd is nothing compared with the transformation that Jesus offers us with the paschal mystery and its shift from Good Friday to the power of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. The Resurrection is a step out of our conception of time altogether.

Because of the centrality of transformation as an element of Christian faith, it is no surprise that transformation of people’s lives is such a significant focus for many development projects dealing with marginalized communities in the Global South. Groups such as Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) are helping to address the great disparities in areas such as education, health, livelihood, housing, and human rights. There are rarely instant results. The work of CJI and our partners requires that we have an attitude of patient hope, trusting that our efforts will bear fruit.

CJI works with a project of the Jesuits of Eastern Africa, through the Jesuit Hakimani Centre. The Sowing Seeds of Transformation project offers seeds of change, where the influence will emerge over time. Jesus often used the image of seeds and slow growth. One of the significant factors that facilitates growth is proper care of the growing conditions. Projects such as Sowing Seeds of Transformation offer programs aimed at improving the learning conditions of those who benefit.

There is a famous prayer attributed to Saint Oscar Romero, who was archbishop of San Salvador from 1977 until his assassination in 1980. . It’s about growth and seeds and our Christian need to take the long view, to recognize that our contributions are part of a bigger and longer-term project.
I wonder if Jesus had that same long view in mind when he spoke at the Last Supper, “I will not eat this Passover until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” The true liberation and Passover of the marginalized of this world will take time. The Kingdom of God is a hope we hold on to, something that we strive for. We see that the present crises are a step backwards, but we will continue our forward movement. That calls for trusting patience.

As Lent approaches its final chapter, let’s ask ourselves whether we have this patience — with ourselves, our leadership, our God. Am I open to the long view? Can I remain optimistic?

Fr Philip Shano SJ has been a Jesuit since 1978.  He has extensive experience teaching, giving retreats, and writing in the area of Ignatian spirituality. He is a member of the Jesuit Community in Guelph and is a member of CJI’s Board of Trustees.