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A CALL TO PREACH JUSTICE
By Sr. Brenda Walsh, Racine Dominican
The question of preaching
justice dates back to the report of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical
Commission in 2007. Liturgical Renewal was an important issue addressed at the
Second Vatican Council when people were called to a deeper appreciation and use
of scripture and to a fuller participation of all in the celebration of liturgy.
The goal was to have all participate and bring about the “transformation of our
world”and to enable them to truly live as members of the Mystical Body of Christ
and continue God’s healing work. Recently Pope Benedict the XV1 urged the faith
community “to be true promoters of peace and justice. All who participate in the
Eucharist must commit themselves to peace-seeking in a world scarred by war,
violence, terrorism, economic woes and sexual exploitation.”
Some preachers fear that
because of the church’s tax exempt status, by preaching justice they might lose
their tax emption. The only restriction they have is they cannot engage in
partisan politics but nothing prevents them from being advocates on social
issues that have a moral dimension. They must be a voice for the voiceless and
address issues such as prejudice, racism, respect for the environment, civility
in public discourse and other issues that need to be addressed. Preaching
justice calls for study and understand of the issues as they relate to the
Scripture and liturgy. We are also called to reflect on our own lives as
preachers and our own need for transformation.
We also need to preach justice
without demonizing the participants, and bring a hopeful and inspiring vision
for the community, church and society. Martin Luther King said: “I have a dream”
of a world more in line with God’s design. We need to imagine such a world and
count on God’s assistance and power in transforming our world. We are all called
to accountability for our actions or lack of response. For example, recently the
Wis. Cl. of churches invited all people to participate in a season of civility
in this pre-election time and treat each other with respect, truth-telling and
integrity.
The church can help members to
understand the deeper spiritual meaning of justice and peace as the foundation
of our living. They can join with other adults and also invite children and
youth to participate and learn about ways to practice peace and justice in their
homes and communities. Churches can also address racism and bigotry of every
kind. From a small spark a great fire can grow and glow. May we spread the fire
of God’s love and fill the world with hope. May the Spirit sustain us to
continue the work of recreating the world in some small way to more closely
resemble God’s dream for all people. No effort is too small to make a
difference.
MOVING FROM A CULTURE OF VIOLENCE TO A CULTURE OF PEACE:
A LIFE-LONG ENDEAVOR FOR ALL.
By Sr. Brenda Walsh, Racine Dominican
In recent
months, it is encouraging to see communities coming together to address the
violence, shooting and killing that plague our communities. Violence is evident
in a variety of situations and is not limited to any one area, class, color or
creed. It is a regional, national and international concern. The solution
belongs to entire communities, and each of us individually must be part of the
solution. We all need to demonstrate that violence never solves anything and
only begets more violence. We also need to model for children and youth that
violence is not a solution and we can explore other ways of solving problems
that lead to peace. We know peace is not easy. It takes tireless effort of each
one of us. Children must see and experience more peaceful ways of solving
problems. Conflict resolution classes are becoming available in many communities
and are very helpful.
More gun
control is required to keep guns out of the hands of youth, the mentally ill,
and people with a criminal record, as well as others who are not responsible for
their actions. Many people in communities are not supportive of gun control. We
must urge our political leaders to effectively support gun control in their
communities, such as Mayors Against Gun Violence. Children learn how to relate
peacefully and cooperatively from the adults around them. We can all be
redirected to teaching and modeling peace at every level of society. Children
can learn how to reach out through projects that help people in need. Norman
Cousins, noted philosopher, once said that the creative minds that invented war,
can also imagine a peaceful community, nation or world and take steps to bring
it about.
To
accomplish all this successfully, we must pray and contemplate on a daily basis
to create peace in our hearts, minds, homes and communities. The federal budget
is truly a moral document that deserves our input and challenge as needed. We
must urge leaders to redirect some of our resources toward peace and justice
actions rather than toward war. We pray the Spirit will guide us and our leaders
in all of our endeavors to help us realize God’s plan for our world. It must
start with ourselves, our families and neighborhoods, and then expand into the
broader community and world. Let us rejoice that God’s power working in and
through us will accomplish infinitely more than we dare ask or imagine. Each one
of us can make a difference. No action is too small to contribute to the goal
of peace. We pray in the song: “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin
with me.” Let us begin today with courage, conviction and hope. Church
involvement is also crucial. Faith communities can reach out to people , those
standing on the street corners or belonging to gangs and give them soul food to
meet their needs and redirect their lives. . Don’t be afraid to challenge their
life styles and action and let them know we do not approve or tolerate violent
beharior. Continue the peace-making endeavor all the way through adulthood and
share ways to practice peace. Involve youth in coming up with solutions to
community problems and to work for peace. Think of a pebble cast into the water.
It will create ripples. Each ripple joined with others can create a force for
good and make a big difference.
