Daily reflection from the CPLO and the Jesuit Institute for 16 March 2022

Published: Wed, 03/16/22

Wednesday, 16 March 2022

“Nowhere does the silence of the infinite lean so intensely as around the form of a newly born infant. Once we arrive, we enter into the inheritance of everything that has preceded us; we become heirs to the world. To be born is to be chosen. To be created and come to birth is to be blessed. Some primal kindness chose us and brought us through the forest of dreaming until we could emerge into the clearance of individuality, with a path of life opening before us through the world. The beginning often holds the clue to everything that follows. Given the nature of our beginning, it is no wonder that our hearts are imbued with longing for beauty, meaning, order, creativity, compassion, and love.”

~ John O'Donahue ~

Listen: Abdullah Ibrahim - Mindiff

Yolande sits quietly in our office, tears welling up in her eyes. Her eight-month-old baby has been really sick, but she fears going to the hospital only to be turned away. Yolande is an asylum seeker in South Africa. She is currently enrolled in JRS’ livelihoods program and lives with her husband and two other children.

Yolande gave birth to Divine at a public hospital in Pretoria. Unfortunately, Yolande had health complications related to the delivery and remained in hospital for several weeks. She was not informed of the new policy being implemented at public hospitals regarding maternity services for foreign patients. On discharge, she was told to pay R120000 for the delivery and in-patient services—an impossible amount for most in South Africa. Yolande could obviously not pay.

Yolande has since received calls from the hospital about her outstanding payment and fears getting in trouble. There seems to be no way for her to resolve the matter.

In the last few weeks, Divine has been sickly and struggled with breathing. Yolande has saved up money to take him to a private doctor, but this is untenable. She is worried about going to the public hospital and being turned away or told to pay more money.

According to the law, Yolande and Divine have the right to access free medical treatment for maternal and reproductive services because Divine is under six years old. However, austerity, maladministration, and corruption have meant that public health facilities have implemented contravening provincial policies to bridge financial gaps. The consequences of these strategies fall on the vulnerable, making them even more vulnerable.

Quietly reflect on this story. Can you imagine Yolande, what strikes you? Is there something that you return to in this story or have a question about? Are you angry or saddened?

Think for a moment about being a hospital administrator, nurse or doctor, knowing that a mother fears bringing her sick eight-month-old for treatment? How might this cause you to respond differently or advocate for someone’s rights?

Grant me, O Lord, to see everything
now with new eyes,
to discern and test the spirits
that help me read the signs of times,
to relish the things that are yours and
to communicate them to others.
Give me clarity of understanding.

Amen.

Pedro Arrupe SJ

Reflection prepared by Abigail Dawson