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Sunday, January 15, 2017
ANGELUS POPE FRANCIS
Saint Peter's Square-Sunday, 8 January 2017
 
PHOTO: Zenit.org / Angelus / PHOTO.VA - OSSERVATORE ROMANO
FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning!
Today, the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus, the Gospel (Mt 3:13-17) describes the scene which occurred at the River Jordan: Jesus, too, is in the midst of the penitent crowd which approaches John the Baptist to receive baptism. He stood in line. John would like to prevent him from [being baptized], saying: “I need to be baptized by you” (3:14). The Baptist, indeed, is aware of the great distance there is between him and Jesus. But Jesus has come precisely to bridge the gap between man and God: if He is completely on God’s side, He is also completely on mankind’s side, and reunites what had been separated. For this reason he asks John to baptize him, so that all righteousness may be fulfilled (cf. v. 15), namely, that the plan of God may be fulfilled, the plan which passes by way of obedience and solidarity with fragile and sinful mankind, the way of humility and of God’s full closeness to his children. Because God is very close to us, very close!

At the moment in which Jesus, baptized by John, comes out of the waters of the River Jordan, the voice of God the Father is heard from on high: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (v. 17). At the same time the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, alights upon Jesus, who publicly begins his mission of salvation; a mission characterized by a manner: the way of a humble and gentle servant, armed only with the power of truth, as Isaiah had prophesied: “He will not cry or lift up his voice, … a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice” (42:2-3). A humble and gentle servant.

This is Jesus’ way, as well as the manner of Christ’s disciples’ missionary work: To proclaim the Gospel with gentleness, but also firmness, without shouting, without reprimanding anyone, but gently and firmly, without arrogance or imposition. The true mission is never proselytism, but drawing people to Christ. But how? How is this attraction to Christ achieved? With one’s own witness, starting from the unwavering union with him in prayer, in adoration and in concrete works of charity, which is service to Jesus present in the least of his brothers and sisters. In imitation of Jesus, the good and merciful Shepherd, and moved by his grace, we are called to make our life a joyous testimony that illuminates the way, that brings hope and love.

This feast makes us rediscover the gift and the beauty of being a community of baptized, that is, of sinners — we all are sinners — saved by the grace of Christ, truly integrated, by the work of the Holy Spirit, in the filial relationship of Jesus with the Father, welcomed into the bosom of Mother Church, making possible a brotherhood that knows no barriers or borders.

May the Virgin Mary help all of us Christians to maintain an ever keen and grateful awareness of our own Baptism and to faithfully follow the path opened by this Sacrament of our rebirth. Ever with humility, gentleness and firmness.

After the Angelus:
Dear brothers and sisters! In the context of the Feast of the Lord’s Baptism, this morning I baptized a large group of infants: 28. Let us pray for them and for their families. Also, yesterday afternoon, I baptized a young catechumen. And I would like to extend my prayer to all parents who in this period are preparing for a child’s Baptism or have recently celebrated it. I invoke the blessing of the Holy Spirit upon them and their children, so that this Sacrament, so simple but at the same time so important, may be lived with faith and joy.

I would also like to invite you to join in the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, which spreads, also through social networks, the prayer intentions I propose for the Church each month. In this way, the Apostleship of Prayer moves forward and communion grows.

In these very cold days, I think of and invite you to think of all of the people who live on the streets, suffering the cold and oftentimes indifference. Unfortunately, some have not survived. We pray for them and we ask the Lord to warm our hearts so that we may be able to help them.

I greet you all, faithful of Rome, pilgrims from Italy and from other countries. In particular, the group of young people from Cagliari, Italy whom I encourage to continue on the journey which began with the Sacrament of Confirmation. And I thank them because they offer me the occasion to stress that Confirmation is not only a destination — as some say, the “farewell sacrament”, no no! — it is above all a point of departure in Christian life. Go forth with the joy of the Gospel!

I wish everyone a happy Sunday. Please, do not forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch. Arrivederci!
     
© Copyright - Libreria Editrice Vaticana


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Friday, January 13, 2017
ANGELUS POPE FRANCIS
Saint Peter's Square-Friday, 6 January 2017
 
PHOTO: Zenit.org / PHOTO.VA - OSSERVATORE ROMANO
SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning!
Today we are celebrating the Epiphany of the Lord, which is the manifestation of Jesus who shines as a light for all peoples. A symbol of this light, that shines in the world and seeks to enlighten the life of each one of us, is the star that guided the Magi to Bethlehem. The Gospel says that they had “seen his star in the East” (Mt 2:2) and they chose to follow it: they chose to be guided by the star of Jesus.

In our life too, there are several stars, lights that twinkle and guide. It is up to us to choose which ones to follow. For example, there are flashing lights that come and go, like the small pleasures of life: though they may be good, they are not enough, because they do not last long and they do not leave the peace we seek. Then there is the dazzling limelight of money and success which promises everything, and at once. It is seductive, but with its intensity, blinds and causes dreams of glory to fade into the thickest darkness. The Magi, instead, invite us to follow a steady light, a gentle light that does not wane, because it is not of this world: it comes from heaven and shines ... where? In the heart.

This true light is the light of the Lord, or rather, it is the Lord himself. He is our light: a light that does not dazzle, but accompanies and bestows a unique joy. This light is for everyone and it calls each one of us. In this way, we can hear addressed to us today’s invitation from the prophet Isaiah: “Arise, shine” (60:1). So said Isaiah, prophesying this joy of today in Jerusalem, “Arise, shine”. At the beginning of each day we can welcome this invitation: arise, shine, and follow today — among the many shooting stars in the world — the bright star of Jesus! Following it, we will experience the joy, as happened to the Magi, who “when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” (Mt 2:10); because where there is God, there is joy. Those who have encountered Jesus have experienced the miracle of light that pierces the darkness and know this light that illuminates and brightens. I would like, with great respect, to invite everyone not to fear this light and to open up to the Lord. Above all, I would like to say to those who have lost the strength to seek, who are tired, to those who, overwhelmed by the darkness of life, have extinguished this yearning: arise, take heart, the light of Jesus can overcome the deepest darkness. Arise, take heart!

And how do we find this divine light? We follow the example of the Magi, whom the Gospel describes as always on the move. He who wants the light, in fact, goes out of himself and seeks: he is not withdrawn, immobile, watching what is happening around him, but rather, he puts his own life at stake; he goes out of himself. Christian life is a continuous journey, made of hope, a quest; a journey which, like that of the Magi, continues even when the star momentarily disappears from view. On this journey there are also pitfalls that should be avoided: superficial and mundane gossip, which slows the pace; the paralyzing selfish whims; the pit of pessimism that ensnares hope. These obstacles hindered the scribes, of whom today’s Gospel speaks. They knew where the light was, but did not move. When Herod asked them, ‘Where will the Messiah be born?’ [They answered], ‘In Bethlehem!’. They knew where, but did not budge. Their knowledge was vain: they knew many things, but it was useless, all in vain. It is not enough to know that God is born, if you do not celebrate with him Christmas in the heart. God is born, yes, but is he born in your heart? Is he born in my heart? Is he born in our hearts? And in this way we will find him, as did the Magi, with Mary and Joseph in the stable.

The Magi went forth: having found the Child, “they fell down and worshiped him” (v. 11). They did not just look at him, they did not just say a circumstantial prayer and leave, no indeed, they worshiped: they entered into a personal communion of love with Jesus. Then they offered him gold, frankincense and myrrh, namely, their most precious belongings. Let us learn from the Magi not to devote to Jesus only spare time and an occasional thought; otherwise we will not receive his light. Like the Magi, let us set out, let us shine as we follow the star of Jesus, and let us adore the Lord with all our hearts.

After the Angelus:
Tomorrow the ecclesial communities of the East, which follow the Julian Calendar, will celebrate Holy Christmas. In a spirit of joyful fraternity, I pray that the new birth of the Lord Jesus may fill them with light and peace.

The Epiphany is the Day of Missionary Childhood. I encourage all children and young people who in many parts of the world are committed to spreading the Gospel and to helping their peers in need.
The Magi offer their gifts to Jesus, but in reality, Jesus himself is the true gift of God: he is indeed the God who gives himself to us; in him we see the merciful face of the Father who awaits us, welcomes us, always forgives us; the face of God that never treats us according to our works or according to our sins, but only in accordance with the immensity of his inexhaustible mercy. And speaking of gifts, I too thought I would give you a little gift ... there aren’t any camels, but I will give you the gift of the Icons of Mercy booklet. God’s gift is Jesus, mercy of the Father; and this is why in order to remember this gift of God, I am giving you this gift that will be distributed by the poor, by the homeless and by refugees along with many volunteers and religious whom I cordially greet and thank wholeheartedly.

I wish you a year of justice, forgiveness, serenity, but above all, a year of mercy. It will help you to read this book: it is pocket-sized, so you can take it with you. Please, do not forget to give me, too, the gift of your prayers. May the Lord bless you. Happy feast day, enjoy your lunch and Arrivederci!

© Copyright - Libreria Editrice Vaticana


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Thursday, January 12, 2017
Hari ini di Bolivia, Besok di Indonesia

Penduduk asli Pacahuara, Bolivia, FOTO: angriwhitekid.blogs.com

Kematian sebuah bahasa mirip dengan kematian manusia. Kadang-kadang, tidak ada yang bisa diprediksi. Seperti kematian manusia, kematian sebuah bahasa kadang-kadang menjadi misteri.

Meski menjadi misteri, kematian bahasa sebenarnya masih bisa diantisipasi. Bahasa—tidak seperti manusia—yang punya dokter khusus. Tidak juga seperti hewan yang punya tenaga medis untuk mengecek keadaannya. Bahasa ada karena manusia ada. Maka, bahasa mesti ada dan hidup sebagaimana penuturnya (manusia) hidup. Dengan cara pandang ini, kematian sebuah bahasa—meski tidak punya dokter untuk mengontrolnya—tetap bisa diantisipasi. Bahasa tidak mesti mati begitu saja.

Di Bolivia, ada sebuah bahasa yang hampir mati. Penuturnya sisa 4 orang. Yang terakhir meninggal akhir tahun lalu. Saat ini, hanya mereka berempat yang menjadi penutur bahasa langka ini. Bahasa ini disebut Bahasa Pacahuara karena lahir dan hidup di sebuah suku asli di Pacahuara, di wilayah Amazzonia, Bolivia. Keempat penutur ini sekarang tinggal di daerah Tujure, sebuah daerah adat di wilayah Pacahuara.

Dua dari penutur ini sekarang sudah tua. Keduanya (Maro e Buca)—bersama cucu mereka Bose dan shacu—hadir dalam perayaan misa requiem dari saudara mereka Baji setelah tahun baru yang lalu. Kematian Baji sekaligus menjadi alarm bagi kehidupan Bahasa Pacahuara. Saat itu, keempat penutur ini memang hadir. Mereka menjadi sebuah komunitas pengguna bahasa Pacahuara.
 
Beberapa warga Pacahuara dalam liputan BBC tahun 2013 yang lalu, FOTO: bbc.com
Daerah Tujure sendiri makin hari makin sepi. Banyak penghuni meninggalkan daerah ini. Keluarga Maro dan Buca adalah keluarga terakhir yang masih setia tinggal dan menggunakan Bahasa Pacahuara. Boleh dibilang, harta warisan kultural ini tetap ada dan hidup saat ini karena jasa mereka. Entah sampai kapan bahasa ini dipertahankan. Kehidupan bahasa ini berada dalam tangan mereka. Jika mereka semuanya tidak ada, bahasa ini juga akan lenyap. Tetapi, semoga ada anak-cucu mereka yang melanjutkan bahasa ini.

Sekitar 11 tahun lalu, dosen Bahasa Indonesia kami di kota Yogyakarta pernah menyinggung soal ini. Kata dia waktu itu, di Indonesia juga ada gejala seperti ini. Beberapa bahasa di daerah Papua—lanjutnya—akan punah seiring dengan pengurangan penuturnya. Papua sampai saat ini kaya akan bahasa daerah. Sayang, beberap dari yang banyak ini memiliki penghuni kurang dari 500 orang. Saat itu—menurut dosen kami—ada kriteria dari Unesco-PBB bahwa bahasa yang penuturnya hanya 500 orang ke bawah akan dikategorikan sebagai bahasa mati. Dengan kriteria ini—kata pak dosen—beberapa dari bahasa di Papua akan punah.

Jika kriteria ini diterapkan pada Bahasa Pacahuara, otomatis bahasa ini sudah mati. Bolehlah dibilang demikian. Dan, nyatanya kematian bahasa ini sudah diambang pintu. Memang masih menjadi misteri. Seperti misteri dari sebuah kematian dari seorang manusia.

Kematian bahasa ini ada di tangan keluarga Ibu Baji. Ibu Baji sudah meninggal, keempat keluarganya sebagai penutur utama menjadi penentu utama kehidupan bahasa ini. Keluarga almarhumah Baji termasuk kuat. Mereka adalah keluarga terakhir—boleh dibilang demikian—yang hidup di daerah Tujure.

Daerah Tujure abad ke-8 yang lalu masih dihuni oleh sekitar 50.000 orang. Saat itu, pekerjaan mereka adalah berburu di hutan, pelaut, dan petani buah. Ini adalah beberapa pekerjaan utama dari kelompok suku tua di daerah ini.
 
Salah satu model gerbang masuk di kawasan Pacahuara, FOTO: connectas.org
Pekerjaan ini mereka tinggalkan dan pengaruhnya mulai luntur saat tiba kebiasaan baru yakni menjadi petani karet. Daerah ini menjadi penghasil karet yang besar. Malangnya, para penduduk Tujure pun menjadi tamu di atas tanah mereka. Perusahaan multinasional dari Inggris dan Jerman datang menyerbu tanah mereka. Dalam waktu yang singkat, penduduk Tujure pun meninggalkan daerah mereka.

Perusahaan ini bukan saja ‘mengusir’ penduduk Tujure. Mereka juga menggali tanah dan membiarkannya menganga tanpa pohon, tampak tandus tak bertumbuhan, membuat petak-petak kecil untuk menghalang penduduk asli bekerja di atas lahan itu. Pemandangan ini sungguh tanpa kehidupan. Tanah yang subur dibiarkan mati. Tidak ada kehidupan di sana. Situasi ini membuat penduduk Tujure pergi meninggalkan tanah leluhur mereka. Dalam sekejap, dari abad ke-8 ke abad ke-9, penghuninya berkurang menjadi satu keluarga saja dengan 9 anggota keluarga.

Keluarga ini adalah keluarga Ibu Baji. Saat ini, dari 9 menjadi 4 orang saja. Keluarga ini sebenarnya menjadi penerus atau ahli waris bukan saja dari Bahasa Pacahuara, tetapi juga budaya dan adat istiadat Pacahuara. Sayang, seperti nasib bahasa mereka, budaya dan adat istiadat pun akan hilang. Kematian bahasa kini sekaligus juga menjadi ancaman bahkan menjadi kematian dari budaya dan adat istiadat itu sendiri.

Bersama bahasa Pacahuara, keberadaan dialek dan bahasa kecil lainnya di daerah Amazzonia pun akan terancam. Dalam 10 tahun terakhir ini, sekitar 100 dialek asli Ammazzonia punah. Dialek ini punah bersamaan dengan terancamnya kehidupan dari suku asli. Mereka ‘terusir’ dari tanah leluhurnya oleh perusahaan multinasional yang mengeruk kekayaan alam mereka. Hutan Amazzonia dengan kekayaan emas, batu alam, kayu, dan sumber alam lainnya menjadi rebutan para perusahaan multinasional. Sayang perebutan ini pun berujung pada ‘pengusiran warga lokal’.

Makin malang bagi penduduk lokal karena kebijaksaan lokal juga ikut punah. Selain Bahasa Pacahuara, bahasa Resignaro juga mengalami nasib sama. Bahasa ini pamit lebih dulu dengan kematian penutur terakhirnya yakni Rosa Andrade dari Peru. Nasib 51 bahasa lokal lainnya juga akan terancam. Boleh jadi akan menjadi seperti bahasa Resignaro. Sungguh sayang, bahasa—budaya—adat istiadat—dan kebijaksaan warisan mereka akan punah. Padahal, ini adalah warisan sejarah yang berharga.
 
Salah satu model budaya Pacahuara dalam gambar, FOTO:soldepando.com
UNESCO sebagai promotor perlindungan warisan budaya dunia tidak tinggal diam melihat kenyataan ini. Lembaga ini membuka mata dan membuat penelitian serius. Hasilnya sungguh mengangetkan. Dalam 10 tahun terakhir, 100 bahasa di dunia punah, 400 lainnya sudah terancam akan punah, 51 lainnya hanya digunakan atau diketahui oleh 1 orang saja.

UNESCO juga membuat prospek ke depan. Katanya, pada abad ini (abad ke-21) boleh jadi akan hilang sekitar 7000 dialek di bumi ini atau sekitar 1 dialek dalam setiap 15 hari. Kenyataan ini menjadi sungguh memilukan bagi kelangsungan hidup bahasa dan budaya di dunia. Bahasa dan budaya dari sebuah masyarakat hilang begitu saja. Ini bisa meresahkan bagi pecinta bahasa di seluruh dunia.

Keresahan ini membuat banyak pecinta bahasa bangun dari tidur nyenyaknya. Mereka berusaha agar kematian bahasa dan budaya ini tidak berlangsung cepat. Satu dari pecinta bahasa ini adalah University of Pennsylvania di Amerika Serikat. Universitas ini melalui lembaga penelitiannya Enduring Voices berusaha untuk menyelamatkan beberapa kata dari bahasa-bahasa yang akan punah. Lebih banyak kata akan lebih bagus. Sampai saat ini, mereka sudah menyelamatkan 32.000 kata beserta maknanya. Jika diteruskan, pekerjaan ini juga akan menjadi sebuah kesuksesan besar.

Jika University of Pennsylvania di AS sudah bangun, bagaimana dengan Indonesia? Andai para pendemo, ramai-ramai ke daerah terpencil dan mengumpulkan kata-kata dari bahasa-bahasa yang akan punah di Indonesia, sampai kini, bahasa-bahasa itu pun terselamatkan. Lumayan untuk memperlambat kematian sebuah bahasa. Tetapi, ini hanya angan-angan sebab para pendemo lebih suka menghabiskan waktunya bukan untuk bekerja demi bangsa tetapi demi keegoisan mereka. Indonesia memang beda.

Sekadar berbagi yang dilihat, ditonton, didengar, dirasakan, dialami, dibaca, dan direfleksikan.

SELAMAT TAHUN BARU.

PRM, 10/1/2017
Gordi

*Dari publikasi pertama di blog kompasiana


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