Mass tonight is offered for all victims of the Holocaust, in advance of Holocaust Memorial Day tomorrow. Here Fr Richard offers a reflection on the Gospel to be used at mass, Matthew 5.1-12
The famous Gospel reading that we have just heard, the Beatitudes from Matthew, presents a topsy-turvy, back-to-front vision of the world. Those who are so often looked down upon, ignored, or regarded as nothing turn out to be blessed. The poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the peacemakers, the persecuted. Not, you notice, the rich, the powerful or the mighty, those who so often call the shots. It’s a topsy-turvy, back-to-front vision indeed. Why does Jesus call those groups of people blessed? Because he recognises that true blessing, true holiness, true goodness, comes not from a place of domination and power, but from one of vulnerability. Those who have known deep grief and suffering can comfort the ones who mourn; those who have been persecuted are best placed to fight for justice. The poor in Spirit – those who know their own need of God – can point others towards his love.
Holocaust Memorial Day reminds us all too powerfully of what happens when this vision is rejected. When the dignity, identity, uniqueness and vulnerability of human beings is trampled upon by those who value power, domination, and hatred of the other above all else. It leads to the massacre of six million Jews, half a million Roma and Sinti, 300,000 disabled people, 15,000 LGBT folk, and tens of thousands of communists, trade unionists and clergy. It leads to a world where, today, the forces of hatred, discrimination and fear are being allowed to rise up once again.
So, what can we do in response to all this horror, both past and present? The first step is simply to do what we are doing tonight, which is to remember. The voices of the victims of the Holocaust (and indeed the survivors, growing fewer as the years go by) must continue to be heard in and through our remembrance here, and into the future. And then we must protest. Protest against that dark and dangerous vision which led to the Holocaust, by living out the values of the Beatitudes. It’s about reminding the world that every single life, no matter how weak, how vulnerable, no matter the race, religion or colour, no matter how small the minority they’re part of, is sacred in the sight of God. This is a truth seen throughout both the Hebrew and Christian Bible.
Tonight, we remember all the victims of the Holocaust. Let us pledge ourselves to protest and to work tirelessly for that topsy-turvy, back-to-front world to become a reality here and now.
Mass tonight is in St Dyfrig & St Samon, Grangetown at 6.30pm
South Cardiff Ministry Area 