One day I was having fun with my cell phone while browsing through a magazine, when this article caught my attention: What is the most unbearable noise in the world? I clicked on the link already thinking about some noises that I find annoying and I was surprised to find out that «according to a scientific study, the most unbearable noise in the world is the cry of a child between two and a half and four years old, and it disturbs men and women, celibate and married, adults and children alike» (cf. Rosemarie Sokol Chang and Nicholas Thompson, psychologists).
In my own re-reading, I rejoiced that, as a species, we are concerned and disturbed by the cry of a child, that we have this instinct of protection that calls us to soothe or satisfy its needs, being part of the great family of humanity where all of us, of different race, language, people or nation, have the instinct to care for life as part of the gift of God the Father who has created us in his image and likeness (cf. Gen 1:27).
And in these times, when darkness and the shadows of death lurk in war, gratuitous violence, human trafficking, political, economic, energy and consumerist dictatorships, which together with climate change and lack of solidarity, mean that one out of every nine people in the world suffers from hunger (UN), it is God himself who comes out to meet us, who takes the initiative, arousing in the heart of each person attitudes that generate life. The Father sees the affliction of His people, the cry of their oppressors and knows their anguish and says to each one of us: «Go, therefore, I am sending you to bring my people out of oppression. I will be with you» (cf. Gen 3:7ff.).
In a simple and profound way, Pope Francis, with his merciful witness, affirms that life, a gift of God, is a gift that must always be defended and protected: «Men and women of prayer guard the fundamental truths: they repeat to everyone that this life, despite its fatigues, its trials and its difficult days, is full of a grace that amazes. And as such, it must always be defended and protected» (cf. Pope Francis (@Pontifex es) / Twitter).
It is up to each one of us to accept or reject this mission, cultivating the gaze with a grateful heart, to see with the eyes of Jesus the small and great gestures of so many people around us who care and generate life. Letting ourselves be touched and questioned by their witness as fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, professionals in health, education, social and public services, entrepreneurs… each one of us, united to the one who is the source of eternal Life, nourishing it by letting it flow around me with attitudes of service, care, kindness, respect, interest, listening, joy, generosity and forgiveness.
We well know that it is a drop of water in an immense ocean, insignificant in its individuality, but necessary «for this is the favorable time, this is the day of salvation» (cf. 2 Cor 6:2).
Sr. Eva María Salvador Aspas, Tc