Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord

 

Sr Mary McGlone writes by way of reflection on this Sunday's readings in the National Catholic Reporter:

In our history, we Christians have missed the mark on carrying out much (most?) of what Jesus tried to teach. In the name of Christ, a shameful number of men went crusading to destroy unbelievers. The Council of Trent found it necessary to prohibit such egregious abuses of the Eucharist as paying priest celebrants according to how long they could hold up the host for the people to adore.

In the U.S., some Christians saw it as their duty to carry out outlandish "proofs" that allowed them to put "witches" to death. In the name of freedom of religion, we have privatized our faith to the point that many feel free of responsibility to the common good, believing that all God desires is that we will each save our soul.

Worst of all, we have found ways to justify all of this by citing Scripture — selectively.

St. Paul warned the Ephesians about this kind of distorted theology, saying: "Watch carefully how you live, not as foolish persons, but as wise ... do not continue in ignorance." He said, "the days are evil." 

Each of the deformations of Christianity mentioned above came from self-serving interpretations of Scripture, interpretations that employed fear and magic as well as bigoted exercises of power over others.

… How are we to know if we are following Paul's advice to seek the will of God rather than interpreting like the Crusaders?  … Instead of accepting inadequate interpretations of the Gospel, Christ invites us into an ongoing, mystical spiral of tasting and seeing the goodness of the Lord. 

Read the rest of Sr McGlone's reflection on the readings for this Sunday here… 

Rebuild My Church - Instruments of Shalom-Peace

 

San Damiano Cross

While often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, the Peace Prayer wasn’t written by the saint. However, it remains a popular traditional prayer.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

Supporting Indigenous Rights

 

Charity is no substitute for Justice withheld.
Charity without Justice is not Charity.

  Charity is no substitute for Justice withheld.
     - St Augustine

  Charity without Justice is not Charity.
     - St Vincent de Paul

These statements by St Augustine and St Vincent de Paul show clearly why the word "justice" appears in the mission statement of the Society of St Vincent de Paul: "To live the Gospel message by serving Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice and joy." For this reason, it is written into Vincentian fundamental principles to work as a team within the Society and also in collaboration with other people of good will to discover and help redress situations of social injustice that cause poverty, suffering and need.

Established statistics show that First Nations, Métis and Indigenous People are disproportionately represented in the homeless population, among those needing food assistance, and in the Canadian criminal justice system as both victims/survivors and accused/convicted individuals. There is overwhelming consensus, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, that this is directly related to historical social injustice, much of which continues to this day where Indigenous rights are still being ignored or trampled on.

I asked Microsoft's artificial intelligence (AI) program, Copilot, "How can we support Indigenous rights?" Here is how Copilot responded.

Supporting Indigenous rights is crucial for promoting justice, equality, and cultural preservation. Here are some ways to contribute:

1. Education and Awareness:

   • Learn about Indigenous history, culture, and challenges. Understand the impact of colonization, forced assimilation, and discrimination.
   • Share this knowledge with others to raise awareness.

2. Advocacy and Activism:

   • Support Indigenous-led movements and organizations advocating for land rights, sovereignty, and social justice.
   • Attend rallies, sign petitions, and participate in campaigns.

3. Land Acknowledgments:

   • Acknowledge the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples when giving speeches, hosting events, or writing articles.
   • Show respect for their connection to the land.

4. Economic Support:

   • Purchase Indigenous-made products, art, and crafts.
   • Support Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs.

5. Collaboration and Partnerships:

   • Collaborate with Indigenous communities on projects related to education, health, and economic development.
   • Build respectful partnerships based on mutual understanding.

6. Advocate for Policy Changes:

   • Support policies that recognize Indigenous rights, self-determination, and cultural preservation.
   • Advocate for fair representation and inclusion in decision-making processes.

Remember that supporting Indigenous rights is an ongoing commitment. Small actions can make a significant difference! 🌿🤝