Tomorrow is "Mission Sunday". Each of us is called to be a person with a mission. After the Resurrection Christ said to his friends: "Every one of you will be a witness to this." Each of us, by what we do and by what we are, give witness (or, sadly, counter-witness) to Gospel values. Many cry to us from the heart: "Don't tell us. Show us!"
Soon we keep the 21st anniversary of the death of one amazing witness. He still inspires and challenges us to use every talent in the service of truth and to fashion, day by day, a civilisation of love. Giorgio La Pira was born in Sicily in 1904 and died in Florence on November 5th, 1977. In 1924 he took the Gospel as his "rule of life". In 1925 he joined the Dominican Third Order and took Catherine of Siena, Thomas Aquinas and Francis of Assisi as models for daily living. He consecrated all his life to working for the poor and to promoting peace, pardon and mutual help to all.
He began on his own doorstep. He organised practical and sustained help for the tent-dwellers of Messina (whose homes had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1908). In Florence (where he lived from 1926) he organised special Sunday masses and practical help for the poor, the marginalised and ex-prisoners. He awakened groups of St Vincent de Paul workers to new and pressing needs. He gave his time and nearly all his salary (as professor of law in the University of Florence) to assist the deprived. He never owned a house. He was content with a friar's simple cell in the Dominican Priory of San Marco in Florence. "This is my only home on earth," he said as his mission for the poor and for peace expanded.
He made time to organise Scripture sessions and retreats. He was constantly involved in cultural and spiritual formation for workers and for the young. We must remember that he was an eminent professor, a member of the Italian parliament for three terms, mayor of Florence (1951-1965), promoter of peace, disarmament and friendship between Christian, Muslims and Jews and always available to advise those who called on him. We wonder whence came the dynamism and the radiant clarity of his thought amid so much service to others.
He campaigned for the homeless and the unemployed. He was seen and accepted as a radiant ambassador of the risen Christ in a Europe made horrible by bursting bombs, racial hatreds and the dreadful madness of anti-Semitism and relentless genocide.
He aimed to achieve through dialogue a peaceful solution to current conflicts, between Israel and the Arab states, between France and Algeria, between the US and the USSR. He became the world president of "Cities United for Peace". He relied on his moral credibility and the intellectual charm that dissolved tension and fear. He felt that as a believing Christian he could promote a fresh way of thinking and a new kind of tolerance and support among states. This was to be based on a sincere commitment to peace and friendship between all nations. He had the prayers of the cloistered nuns of all the world to support his efforts.
La Pira knew that political reliance on arms would result in deadly destruction for all. He had a lucid optimism about our human story confirmed by his conviction that all people could by now read the signs of our times. All are sick and weary of hatred and violence and greed. We must lift up our hearts and allow sincere prayer to guide us to consistent action flowing from the great life-giving truth, the Resurrection of Christ.
La Pira's anniversary is on November 5th. May the memories of his life awaken in all hopes and ideals too long dormant.
Lord, that I may see! F.MacN.