"Arise! Shine! For your light arrives! The splendour of the Lord shines on you! Nations come to your light, kings to your bright light.” (Isaiah 60, 1.3)

Dear brothers and sisters:

On this first Monthly Letter of 2003, I would like to allow myself to interrupt the series of reflections about the CM characteristics, method, charisma, etc. I was engaged at, in order to direct our meditation to an issue that is both biblical and liturgical. On the next Monthly Letter I will get back to the proposed reflection line.

A new year is beginning – the 2003^rd of Jesus Christ’s incarnation – and we are still savouring, as a new experience, the message of his Christmas, a message-word as St John has taught us (see John 1, 1-18); a message woven with light, joy and hope. While Jesus, the Word of God, continues to experience a new birth in History, we, his followers, continue to experience Jesus, such experience being “loving as He loved, feeling what He felt, living as He lived”. It is worth pointing out that we make this experience in a new era, marked by so many challenges and contradictions, and in a new culture in which the economic values prevail over the political, the social, and the religious ones; a culture whose decisive values are not always the ones of the God’s Kingdom. Such experience has new prospects, both negative and positives, for the whole mankind, as, for the good or for the bad, we are all involved by the globalisation.

It is precisely in such a world and surrounded by such a culture – as it was in Isaiah’s Jerusalem – that we, as a Movement with specific charisma and objectives, are invited to “arise”, abandoning the inertia and the self-indulgence, in order to be sent to shine, witnessing the splendour of the Lord. So as to understand our mission better, we should have as a background, throughout the New Year: the celebration of the Epiphany.

The Epiphany is the shining manifestation of God to mankind. Born within the poor, and poor as the poor, He was anxiously sought by some of the powerful on earth, who had come from afar. For them, Jesus revealed himself as a radiant light. Enlightened by such light “they went back by another route to their own country.” (Matthew 2,12), thus escaping the darkness of Herod’s criminal intentions. Yet today, in a thousand ways, the God of Jesus of Nazareth, light of light, is still present in history, revealing Himself to his People and lighting up its ways.

Dearest brothers and sisters, friends in the CM journey: I propose we make 2003 a “year of Jesus’ light”! However, what shall we do to walk in the light and, at the same time, to be the light, like Christ? Allow me to suggest the dear cursillistas of the whole world, a simple five-step itinerary – the brilliant creativeness of all of you, will find out additional ones...

First step – Every morning, in 2003, reaffirm your faith in Jesus Christ-Light: “I am the light of the world”. (John 8, 12). Believe firmly that, identified with Him, you are a source of light: “You are the light of the world” (Mt 5,14) and, therefore, can light it up! You can be a “signal of God” by being, through your life, a witness of the light: “In the same way, let your light shine”. (Matthew 5,16). Although at times a blackout may occur, do not feel discouraged: get back to the source of Light-Energy-Grace and recharge your batteries. Strongly internalise the prophet’s words: “Arise, Jerusalem...”. Never forget that the Christians were born to shine! Especially the cursillistas in their own environments!

Second step – Learn to look at the world with God’s look. A look of light, tenderness, justice, mercy, compassion. Such look will demand from us renunciation, moving, dedication, humbleness, generosity, comprehension, forgiveness and reconciliation...

Third step – Try to glimpse and value, as the Three Kings did, the spots of light lit by God here and there. They are stars that, most of the time, you barely notice: people around you, organisations that aim at promoting the human being, projects of the Church and of the CM or of the civil society. No matter which your political preferences are, remember the old saying: “better to light a candle, than to curse the darkness”. Starvation, misery and exclusion do not have a political party, inasmuch as they have neither voice nor vote...

Fourth step – Engage yourself in one of those projects. Participate actively. Become a volunteer, getting together with the countless people of all ages and beliefs who are already engaged in the task of lighting up the world. Engage yourself and commit yourself to become another spot of light, as together with other spots, you will make an immense light appear. And, please, do not bring up the old excuse that you do not have time. You are perfectly aware of what in the CM, especially on the week-end, we have repeatedly stated: “time is a matter of preference”...

Fifth step – At the beginning of this year, take some practical decisions to be put in practice during the whole year. Start by yourself and with small gestures. It is not enough, for example, to be generous by Christmas time or during some organised campaigns. Practising a slight degree of austerity, experiencing a little discomfort, enduring some deprivation, avoiding waste, dissipation or any type of ostentation – these could be some steps towards actual means of solidarity.

Above all, I wish you all – my brothers and sisters of the International Groups and National and Diocesan Secretariats, and cursillistas of the world – a happy walking in a joyful 2003! Might this year really be, “the year of Jesus’ light”, through the leavening action of the CM members, so that the “bright light of the dawn” of fraternity, love and solidarity can break again.

Receive my fraternal regards in Christ-Light!

Your servant and brother

Father José Gilberto Beraldo, Ecclesiastic Counsellor