Be pilgrims of peace and unity

Margaret Karram, president of the Focolare Movement, answered questions from Insieme on the delicate international situation, the synodal path, the relevance of Mary's “Here I am” and the Holy Land

Margaret Karram has been president of the Focolare Movement since 31^st January 2021.  She is a woman whose life is based on unity, dialogue and peace’ and also a bridge builder not only because of the charism she lives and represents but also because of her roots. She arrived in Pompei  for an event celebrating 20 years since the publication of Pope St John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae.

Her visit occurs at a time of great suffering and therefore the best time to "entrust the world" to the Queen of Peace and to work towards renewed unity. This task requires effort and patience but gives joy.

Margaret, how could unity foster peace processes for both inner peace and peace in the world?

Unity is about building true, sincere relationships. First, it is a gift from God. For it to be true, not just friendship, and to be able to listen deeply, we have to put some preconditions in place. Our inner life of prayer makes an important contribution. If each of us does not have this spiritual treasure within, we cannot build true unity.

Friendship is needed to build unity, but that is not enough. It also requires an inner life which brings reciprocal enrichment and enables us to share in the lives of others. St Paul tells us that to become one with the other means bearing other people’s burdens, their sorrows and their joys. Doing this requires effort and sacrifice, but it is true that it gives us joy and peace. I think this is what the world needs most today.

We must be able to build a true relationship, a true dialogue that leads us to accept that the other person is different and not judge their different ideas, but to be receptive to them. This is what makes us build a sincere, true dialogue, based, of course, on friendship, but above all on something spiritual. If we do this today, I am convinced that many relationships will change, and we will be able to think in terms of a deeper fraternity and build peace.

The Path of Synodality. What is the contribution of the Focolare Movement?

Many members of the Movement scattered around the world are part of their local church contexts. Starting from there we are making a specific contribution by being part of the local Church, but also as a spirit and  as a charism of unity. In particular, if we want to live as children of the Catholic Church, it is not enough just to live within the Church and build relationships only with Catholics. We can contribute by being open to unity with other Churches, to dialogue with other religions, to dialogue with people who have different beliefs. Our contribution is to be open to all these realities because the Church includes everyone, all of God's people.

At the international level, in the Movement as a whole, we have done much work to gather up the perceptions and experiences of various cultures. We brought everything together and sent it to the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life so that our specific contribution could also reach the secretariat of the Synod. This Synodal Way is very important.

We are in Pompeii, in a shrine to the Virgin Mary. She said her yes to God, entrusting herself to Him alone, without human and material support. What does that tell us today and what way forward is she showing us?

It is a gift for me to be in Pompeii. At this time of such tragedy and so much uncertainty, I believe that being here to ask for Our Lady's intercession is something she wanted at this precise time. It is true that Mary pondered on all these things in her heart, but she also acted in history, in the difficult moments of Jesus' life; and she acted very practically when she went to help her cousin Elizabeth.

May Mary help us to understand how to act at this time, in practical ways. Here we ask her to help us be instruments of peace and not be afraid of venturing into all that this asks of us. Taking risks is part of living for peace. I would like everyone to be able to contribute and pray for peace in the world.

Peace and dialogue. You are from the Holy Land. What do you have most at heart for those very special places, but which are always at the centre of bitter divisions and bloodshed?

When I met the Focolare Movement, I discovered that the revolution I wanted, to bring justice to my country, was not a bloody revolution. The Movement helped me to understand that the real revolution that I want to bring into the world, is that of the gospel, by putting the words of Scripture into practice in my daily life; not just going to Mass on Sunday or doing works of mercy. I have discovered that the Gospel is not just about spiritual things but is also a social revolution. I felt I wanted to live in this way so that my land will not always be torn by conflict but will become holy again. It is the desire I have deep in my heart, and I continue to hope that it will happen.

It was a grace to have lived there for so many years of my life. I often asked Mary for help when I went to the Grotto of the Annunciation. Then, when I lived in Jerusalem, I went frequently to the Holy Sepulchre to renew my commitment every time I felt discouraged, disappointed, or without hope. I went to say to Jesus: 'I believe, and I want to contribute with my cross to redeem the world, I want to give my small contribution; a small drop together with those of so many others who want to live like this.

Living in the Holy Land makes you discover the humanity of Jesus, not just someone who was divine. You see the context in which he lived, where Mary lived. Pope Francis has said: "Making the Holy Land known means handing on the fifth Gospel [...]. It also means making known the people who live there today, the lives of Christians of the various Churches and denominations, but also the lives of Jews and Muslims, to try to build [...] a fraternal society". This is what I truly wish for everyone: even if we do not all live in the Holy Land, we can all be pilgrims of the peace and unity that we all need.

Salvatore D’Angelo
Fonte: insiemenews

See full interview on youtube (italian)