MAKING COUNTER-CURRENT CHOICES FOLLOWING THE CROSS OF CONTRADICTION

 

Pope Francis in his Lenten message 2024, has urged Catholics to "rethink their lifestyles" and  make choices that are "counter-current." Following the natural process of order-disorder-reorder, they are called for a radical renewal and make changes in their “habits of consumption” for the good of society. They are called to  “do just this”: make one’s presence felt in society by concretely “contributing  to its betterment"; an active presence that is "capable of altering the daily lives of individuals and entire neighbourhoods" and changing "the way we acquire goods, care for creation, and strive to include those who go unseen or are looked down upon." Going against the existing ‘societal current’ is to see the world being “in a process of giving birth” and not dying; being “at the beginning of a great new chapter of history". It is all about working for unity by fighting against a “model of growth that divides and robs us of a future." We are called to  "liberate" ourselves from the imminent and current forms of enslavements; from the "the darkness of inequality and conflict." Therefore, for the to-be counter-current Christians: "It is time to act."

Contrary to the prevalent trend of people seeking comfort and wellness, a desert-experience is a counter-current move, that truly can lead to freedom. It helps to hear God’s voice who says:  “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (Ex 20:2). Metanoia, understood as a total radical change (renewal, paradigm shift), is that counter-current move to conversion, – reordering the disordered self and society. Such desert journey is a demanding one. Concretely speaking, counter-current move requires a keen observation of the reality, and not to be swayed by emotive attachment of the status quo or the past. One has to avoid certain compromises with the present. It is a deliberate combat to counter all that corrupts the self and the society. It can be a ‘silent cry’ raised to move one’s own heart and that of others like Christ through the ‘cross of contradiction’. Precisely, one has to give up the ‘nostalgia’ for the past and change the present state of being.

While rediscovering the synodal journey, says Pope Francis, a true Christian will stop by the side of a needy neighbour and act like the Good Samaritan, through community decisions that are counter-current, going against the odd behaviour of today’s ‘priests’ and ‘Levites’. It calls for courage, daring to go against the ‘current’. In this context, prayer entails a “pause” to rethink how one can meet the needs of the needy individual and the community on the whole.   To take concrete action amidst struggles in going counter-current, it requires courage to do so. Yet, it has to be out of freedom to counter a “globalization of indifference”; to get out of the enslaving grip of modern ‘Pharaohs’. It demands a 40-days of desert experience to overcame temptations of ‘flowing’ with the current. Only a counter-current personal decision can make one mature by freeing oneself from the shackles of  past slavery. Finding a new criterion of social justice for the  community “in the presence of a wounded brother or sister,” is a new way of  pressing “forward on a road not yet taken.” It is to realize  with new creative energies that  “Love of God and love of neighbour are one love."  It means taking risks in being sensitive to one’s neighbours as “companions and fellow travellers.”

 A counter-current-disciple’s role in the current socio-political context  is not to  sit on a fence, or not say anything! A Christian disciple will take sides, be honest and speak the truth with conviction, and not rest in inaction. In the current political situation one has to prophetically defer, debate, discuss and be different from the rest, in order to stand for what is right  and protest against attacks, violence and harassment of Christians and Christian institutions. Christ did that too, and was killed and eliminated for his moral honesty, because he questioned and criticized the leadership for their hypocrisy. He exposed their hypocrisy. He was radically different from other teachers and the Scribes of his time.  Jesus was solidal with the poor and the exploited. He shook up the status quo that  threatened their security and comfortable living. Therefore, a true disciple of Jesus asks questions and exposes the truth. He is not afraid to fight the evil, and is ready to pay the price. This is Christian dharma.

The deepest hunger for God is met when the disciple engages with extra prayers, almsgiving and sacrifices (Mt 9:14–15) to uplift the poor and the needy by depriving the self of food and wealth. To access that true hunger, he/she desires it with discipline, and not allow the superficial hunger of lives to dominate. A counter-current life brings with it a newness in life-style, distinct from the existing culture of the day. He/she lives with new insights and inspirations; a set of practical ideas, and Christ-centric vision of things. The radical newness expressed through a counter-current path, embodies Christ’s presence and his transformative work. When a counter-current-person who feeds the hungry and serves the stranger, he/she hears Jesus confirming: “You  did it to me.” The “mutuality of our love for God and neighbor” is personified in him/her. This is a  radical commitment to love our fellow human beings. The sources of his/her spirituality and mission are different from others. 

In contrast to the normal flow of things, one follows the opposite direction, to show life’s true meaning of existence. What is needed, therefore, is a return to the original life that God has created us for, through a counter climate of change in contrast to the recent flourished post-modern culture. He/she, therefore, accepts being contradicted, misjudged and falsely accused. It is a path of  diminished “self-love and pride” through suffering. To be bread broken and shared with the poor, the ‘wheat’ of self must be threshed, winnowed, ground and baked before being given. S/he then has to fast,  forego, forgive, and repent in order to be reconciled and be filled with Spirit’s fire. It is one of blocking the social evil, and move the God’s way, by unleashing the flow of God’s life. One resents evil, by following the cross of contradiction, on which the innocent Jesus was unjustly nailed. But like Jesus, s/he forgives the enemies.  

 There is a kind of attraction to the security of familiar things and being compromised, while groping in the darkness of inequality and conflict, says Pope Francis. Various types of attachments, instead of enhancing deep encounter, they create conflict. On the contrary, instead of serving one’s self-made ‘idols’ that make us “mute, blind, deaf and immobile” (Ps 114:4), the open-minded counter-current person becomes “a silent force of good that heals and sustains the world,” and through him/her “others experience the love that makes all things new.” Therefore, it is time now to make choices that are "counter-current".

 

‘DOING’ AT LENT

 

The Church prescribes prayer, fasting and almsgiving as three disciplines to ‘do’ for spiritual benefits. Too much in the recent past Catholics have shifted to the interior dimensions from the exterior, i.e. faith-in-action. Christianity is not about attitudes, ideas, intentions and principles. Lent is about ‘doing’ prayer, fasting and almsgiving that involve both the body and the mind.  More than the interior spiritual progress, we are called to ‘do’ and by doing we draw closer to God’s holiness. Jesus did, and doing so, he preached. He “put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, ‘Ephphatha!’” He looked up to his Father and inserted his fingers into the man’s ears, created – as Bishop Barron says – a ‘current’,  to plug him into the divine energy.

 

Changing a mind (attitude) is not same as changing a beggar’s economic status.  You need to be ‘mindless’ for doing the change. What, therefore, is needed is a change of mind to ‘do’, than to philosophize.   Instead of being passive by-stander, mind-changes will find expression in action – which is  a change of heart that loves concretely. Doing something that makes my heart change. Doing a charity is a fact, based on time, space and person.  This sums up the single commandment: “ “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might, and with all your mind… and you shall love your neighbour as yourself.”

 

The single condition for Christian discipleship is ‘doing good’ for God,  turning other-centric from personal ego and needs, projects and plans. More than moral reform, Lenten metanoia has to do with ‘doing’ – a fuller consciousness of being through ‘works of mercy’. It is ‘gut-wrenching’ to follow Christ who demands that we deny ourselves and take up our daily crosses and follow him. The cross means, dying to mere ‘thinking’, and rising to active living. Crucifying of the ego, involves ‘walking’ – moving up to the Calvary.

The mass shift towards interior spirituality and prayer of the Catholic crowd is a large part of the problem of non-practice of ‘works of mercy’. The ‘raucous voices’ of the majority, the brazen bray of the  market culture of spirituality, the babbling Babel of religious ritualism — makes us deaf to ‘doing God’s work’. Therefore, we have to shift and move towards Lenten almsgiving. Away from the common crowd, and beyond the ritualistic Lenten liturgy, we can concretely ‘do’ something for the poor and the needy. Similarly, the Lenten fasting, going beyond the hunger for God, is all about emptying the stomach in order to fill the stomach of the hungry. The danger lies in spiritualizing the same, and forgetting to satisfy the physical hunger of the poor for food and drink. Self-fasting has to spur the  deepest desire to satisfy the hunger of another being.

During Lent, we are asked to focus more intently on "almsgiving," which means donating money or goods to the poor and performing other acts of charity. As one of the three pillars of Lenten practice, almsgiving is "a witness to fraternal charity" and "a work of justice pleasing to God." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2462). More than just an interior spiritual journey lent is  a time when we actively engage in acts of charity, works of mercy, and almsgiving. Almsgiving is the ‘heart’ of Lent. It is not merely about dropping a few coins into the donation basket. It’s a profound act of self-sacrifice for the benefit of others. The Greek term for almsgiving means “mercy,” and it extends beyond material possessions. It’s about giving of ourselves—our time, talents, and resources—to alleviate the suffering of those in need ¹.

Here are few practical suggestions, let’s try to do them: consider donating the money you’d spend on daily indulgences, to a charitable cause. Redirecting these funds can help us grow in mercy and justice during Lent ¹.

The Corporal Works of Mercy:

• Feeding the Hungry: Providing food to those who go without nourishment.
• Giving Drink to the Thirsty: Ensuring access to clean water for the parched.
• Clothing the Naked: Offering warmth and dignity to those lacking proper attire.
• Harbouring the Homeless: Welcoming the displaced and vulnerable.
• Visiting the Sick: Bringing comfort and companionship to the infirm.
• Ransoming the Captive: Advocating for justice and freedom.
• Burying the Dead: Showing compassion to grieving families ².

Detachment and Mercy:

• Almsgiving helps us practice detachment from earthly possessions. It’s not just about giving away material goods; it’s about giving of ourselves. When we extend our hands to those in need, we mirror God’s love and mercy.
• Witness to Fraternal Charity: Almsgiving is one of the three pillars of Lenten practice. It’s a work of justice that pleases God. By sharing our blessings, we become a living testimony to fraternal charity ³.

Practical Ways to Give Alms

• Time: Volunteer at a local shelter, spend time with the elderly, or mentor a child.
• Talents: Use your skills—whether it’s cooking, teaching, or repairing—to benefit others.
• Money: Contribute to charitable organizations or directly assist those in need.
• Prayer: Pray for those suffering and offer spiritual support.⁴

In summary, Lent invites us to move beyond introspection and embrace a radical love that reaches out to our fellow human beings. Let our acts of charity, works of mercy, and almsgiving be a testament to our faith and compassion.