Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
We live in a time like no other. We are in the midst of a global pandemic, and our country is experiencing nationwide protests and violence stemming from our society which has allowed and promoted racial inequality. As people of faith, how are we called to respond to these challenging situations? St. Paul tells us “proclaim the word!” I believe God is calling each of us to change our hearts and our lives, and then go boldly forth proclaiming God’s word of love, unity and peace.
In today’s first reading, we hear St. Paul instructing the early church (and us) how we are to share the Good News of the gospel. He states, “proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.” Paul knows firsthand that it will not be easy. He has traveled far and wide to share the Word, and now he is nearing the final days, where he recognizes his “time of departure is at hand.” Paul reminds his listeners that over time people will stop “listening to the truth” and begin “following their own desires.” He goes on further to encourage and say “be-self possessed in all circumstances.” Although hardship will arise, “fulfill your ministry.” These are bold words and ideas, but Paul speaks from a place of personal experience, and he believes that this is our call as a disciple of Jesus.
So how are we called to “proclaim the word” in June 2020? I believe we need to return to the source- Jesus and His life. If we look at how He spoke and acted while here on earth, that is the basis for what we are called to share. Jesus throughout his ministry focused his support for those that are oppressed. In today’s gospel reading, Jesus lifts up the poor widow who offers her “whole livelihood”, while He cautions about the lavish and prideful behavior of the scribes. Jesus is constantly reaching out to those who are the outcasts- the lepers, the Samaritans, and the “sinners.” His actions are merciful, healing and open- hearted. Jesus is able to look beyond the societal norms and acts out of the foundation of acceptance and love. He calls for all people to be one, and He promotes this idea with patience and teaching, even enduring the final hardship- death on the cross. This is the “Word” that we are called to imitate and proclaim.
The challenge for us is putting this into action. Before we can proclaim the word, we must be fully rooted in God’s love and mercy. Like Jesus, we are called to reach out to those oppressed. For those of us who benefit from white privilege, we need to begin by recognizing our role in a society that has promoted these inequalities for so long. We need to stop and examine if we are one of the “scribes” who has sought honor and power at the expense of those who are oppressed.
Fr. Bryan Massingale (a black priest and author of “Racial Justice and the Catholic Church) provides some guidance on how we can move toward an equitable and just society. First, “Sit in the discomfort that this hard truth brings” and “feel the guilt, the pain, the embarrassment over doing nothing and saying nothing when you witnessed obvious racism.” Next, “admit your ignorance and do something about it.” We need to recognize how our society got this way and learn how we can make a positive contribution. After doing our inner work, we need to “have the courage to confront your family and friends… Silence means consent. Or at least complicity.” It cannot stop there. As Catholics, we must “be unconditionally pro-life.” St. John Paul II called Catholics to "eradicate every form of racism" as part of their wholehearted and essential commitment to life. This means using our power to vote (locally and nationally) to support leaders who are engaging in ways to provide support and care for all. And finally-we need to pray. Fr. Massingale says, “Racism is a soul sickness. It is a profound warping of the human spirit that enables human beings to create communities of callous indifference toward their darker sisters and brothers.”
Fr. Massingale reminds us that God is here to provide what we need. “Social life is made by human beings. The society we live in is the outcome of human choices and decisions. This means that human beings can change things. What humans break, divide, and separate, we can — with God's help — also heal, unite, and restore.” With God’s help we can begin to see why Jesus lived, died and rose from the dead. To give us the understanding that God desires peace, unity, and justice for everyone. Before we can “proclaim the word” we must return to the WORD and recognize our need for forgiveness, mercy, wisdom and courage to go forward and be the change that our world needs. As St. Paul says, this path may be filled with hardship, but we need to fulfill our ministry by helping to bring justice, equality, and peace to our world.
I will close with a prayer from Fr. Massingale: “Come, Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of your faithful. Enkindle within us the fire of your love. Come, Holy Spirit! Breathe into us a fiery passion for justice. Especially for those who have the breath of life crushed from them. Amen.”
Marylynn Herchline
To read the full article in the National Catholic Reporter- https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/assumptions-white-privilege-and-what-we-can-do-about-it