In a new collection of his speeches centered on hope, Pope Francis reflects on the influential legacy of the renowned theologian Johann Baptist Metz from Germany. Metz’s early life was shaped by the traumatic experiences of the Nazi era, and his political theology emerged as a fervent warning against the risks of a self-focused Christian devotion. Instead, he championed a “mysticism with open eyes,” urging believers to be wide awake to the suffering of others and actively work to alleviate it.
While this season often symbolizes renewal and fresh beginnings, you don’t have to share Metz’s religious views to grasp the significance of his message. The past year has been saturated with gut-wrenching images of ongoing conflicts in places like Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan. Over the weekend, the toll of Israel’s relentless bombing campaign became all the more apparent, with reports of innocent victims, including children taking refuge in a school. Meanwhile, according to estimates from Kyiv, Putin’s assault on Ukraine has claimed the lives of over 12,000 civilians and more than 43,000 soldiers.
Amidst such widespread human suffering, there is a temptation to succumb to despair or indifference. Friday brought further horror with a shocking terror attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, where five people, including a nine-year-old boy, tragically lost their lives. Further investigation is needed into the motives of the attacker, a Saudi-born refugee reportedly aligned with the far-right Alternative für Deutschland, but the incident is already being manipulated to stoke anti-immigrant sentiments leading up to Germany’s snap election in February.
These undoubtedly feel like dark and challenging times. Yet, even in the face of adversity, we witness powerful examples of dedicated hope. In Gaza, workers from War Child, a charity benefiting from the Guardian and Observer Christmas appeal this year, have risked their lives to provide crucial support to more than 100,000 children trapped in a dire situation. In the war-torn eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Médecins Sans Frontières has established clinics serving thousands of sexual violence survivors. Our reporter shared stories of survivors extending incredible compassion to new arrivals, committed to offering comfort and solace.
There have also been remarkable individual acts of bravery for the greater good. In France, Gisèle Pelicot’s insistence on a public trial for her multiple rapists represented a significant gesture of solidarity with other victims, instilling hope for much-needed cultural change. The passing of activist Alexei Navalny, who perished in a prison 40 miles north of the Arctic Circle, marked a somber moment for Putin’s Russia. Still, his statement on Facebook, declaring “if your convictions mean something, you must be prepared to stand up for them,” will undoubtedly inspire future democratic movements.
The pope’s reflections coincide with the Catholic church’s upcoming jubilee year starting on Christmas Eve, emphasizing hope. While these reflections might not dominate secular bookshelves this holiday season, as we approach a year where global peacemaking must become the utmost priority, embracing a Metzian faith in our ability to steer from darkness toward light feels like a worthy beginning.
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