Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
The Response to Psalm 51 is so poignant as related to in the challenges our society faces in this moment. Perhaps it is right that we spend most of our time and energy trying to root out our individual sins, because those are often the ones we have the most power to do something about. But we sin together as well. We can sin as a people. Our liturgy recognizes that today, and with it the need for social reconciliation. As an example, consider racism. As the USCCB has declared, Racism is a sin. In the past we often viewed it as an individual sin- some persons are guilty of racist actions. “But not me. Not us.” A lot of us have been tempted to believe that as long as “I” don’t consciously choose to treat someone differently because of their skin color, I’m free from guilt.
Unfortunately, that’s not true. Together, we’ve not rooted out a sinful tradition of prejudice and fear that is traumatic and deadly for people of color, and soul-rotting for everyone caught up in the causes and effects. The injustice has sublimated to ever more subtle forms, but it is still with us. What is the solution? There are plenty of good ideas out there; may the Spirit guide us to action. Our parish is a diverse community. Some of us are more often the target and victim of racism, while others enjoy advantages because of our skin. I believe those with the most power will be held to the greatest account by God, and are therefore in greater need of mercy. Yet, we are one body in Christ. We are bound together in our struggle for justice. We need one another to make this right. For apologies and forgiveness, for help we don’t deserve, for help that is due, for admonishment, for listening to the injustice we don’t want to admit, for power-sharing, for proclaiming the truth, for listening, and for the space where there is solidarity instead of words or understanding. Our first step is humility instead of defensiveness. We cannot defend ourselves against the truth. We have to ask for God’s Mercy. We can acknowledge our offense. We have done what is evil in God’s sight. Be Merciful, oh Lord, for we have sinned.
-Chris Nieport