FR ROLAND COELHO SJ
On February 19, Fr Arturo Sosa, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, promulgated four Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAP): A. To show the way to God through the Spiritual Exercises and discernment; B. To walk with the poor, the outcasts of the world, those whose dignity has been violated, in a mission of reconciliation and justice; C. To accompany young people in the creation of a hope-filled future; and D. To collaborate in the care of our Common Home.
These Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAP) are the fruit of sixteen months of a process of “discernment” (choosing with the help of the Holy Spirit) by Jesuits and their collaborators to find out the best way to serve God, the Church, and the whole of humanity over the next ten years.
These four Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAP) were vetted by Pope Francis so that he could once again, mission the Jesuits to serve all people to the best of their capacities.
Here in Goa, these four Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAP) offer new challenges:
1. Discernment and the “Spiritual Exercises” “ challenges Jesuits and their collaborators to help people find God, to listen to God’s voice, and to follow God.
Many people yearn to find their deeper selves where they can feel at home with God.
In the multi-faith context of Goa, the challenge is to help people find God every day and in all situations, to make the right choices, to ask the right questions, and to foster peace and harmony among all peoples.
In this multi-faith context, this is a challenge to share the discovery of Jesus Christ with others, and to learn from other faiths too.
2. Walking with the Excluded “ challenges Jesuits and their collaborators to walk with those whom society excludes (e.g., the poor, vulnerable, and migrants).
A number of people, young and old, come to Goa from North India, North-East India, and from the neighbouring states, seeking honest livelihood.
The people who are sometimes considered worthless, shabby, and a nuisance are often forced to leave their land and families to get a job and to survive.
As the gap between the rich and the poor persists in this country, this is a mission of reconciliation and justice. In Jesus’ words, “Blessed are you poor for yours is the Kingdom of God” (Lk 6.20).
3. Caring for our Common Home “ challenges Jesuits and their collaborators to protect and to renew God’s Creation.
Goa is a beautiful land but unbridled greed has hurt this state.
Often, the impact of environmental degradation is felt most strongly by the poor and vulnerable.
Thankfully, in this state of Goa, there are people of good will (through their research, social action, schools or pastoral centres) who are prepared to risk all to care for Mother Nature and to protect its fragile biodiversity.
4. Journeying with Youth “ challenges Jesuits and their collaborators to accompany young people in the creation of better and hope-filled future.
In a digital world, young people face many challenges (e.g., uncertain relations, excellent education, decent jobs, family issues, and the pressure of social media).
The challenge is to
walk with these young people and build capacity so that they find what they are good at, so that they can live meaningful lives, and be constructive members of society.
Over the next ten years, these four “preferences” will provide orientation to Jesuit choices and activities.
They will help Jesuits and their collaborators to regularly tune into God’s Spirit so that they are led to choose that which benefits the most people in the best ways possible.
They must work together with people of good will to ensure a safer, better, and more joyful life for all.
