Congratulations! We’ve nearly made it through the first two months of a new year. We feel pretty good about our Thanksgiving and Christmas contributions to local food pantries or our parish mitten tree. Most of us have our Christmas decorations carefully boxed and back in the attic. It’s also time to start thinking about April 15.
Here is something else to think about: In a speech to his fellow cardinals before the conclave that elected him pope, Jorge Mario Bergolio implored, “The church is called to come out of herself and to go to the peripheries, not only geographically, but also the existential peripheries: the mystery of sin, of pain, of injustice, of ignorance and indifference to religion, of intellectual currents and of all misery.”
As Pope Francis, he calls for the Church to be “as a field hospital after battle.” What a great way to evangelize!
Moral theology challenges us to listen to and welcome the least, the frail and those regarded as rejects by society. Jesus Himself clearly showed us the way to see the mystery of sin, pain, injustice, ignorance, indifference to religion and of all misery. For us, this means intentional and focused evangelization.
People of faith might feel abandoned by their fellow Christians or excluded by the Church; however, they do not feel abandoned by God.
From my perspective, going out to the peripheries is not only about giving voice to the voiceless; it’s also about recognizing, in prayerful humility, that our brothers and sisters already are speaking and witnessing to God in a world of injustice. We just need to listen!
In Isaiah 58, the prophet links worship of God with care for people in need. He critiques false religiosity and insists that true worship requires a change in one’s mindset and behavior.
In today’s society in which so many are vulnerable and marginalized, we must heed Isaiah’s call to action. Praying for people absolutely is a good thing, but it is insufficient by itself. Isaiah suggests tangible actions we should be taking.
Importantly, Isaiah connects caring for one another with God’s care (Isaiah 58:8-9). By fostering societies in which people support one another, we emulate God Who cares for all of us.
Jesus calls for us to be the light of the world. Our positive actions should not be hidden; rather, they must be examples for others. “Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:16). Like Isaiah, Matthew calls on his community to act openly in a way that is like God’s actions and be examples for others to follow.
Breaking news: People are hungry and in need year-round. More breaking news: Funds donated in March and April or July and September have the same tax benefits as donations in December.
Please follow Christ’s example and be a yearlong provider with your time, talent and treasure to those in spiritual, emotional, financial and material need.
Our faith urges us to act in the face of poverty, hatred and injustice. It challenges us to truly evangelize by putting the needs of others on the same level as our own. Our faith in God requires us to act. Our treatment of all people in society reflects our relationship with God.
Questions: Am I living out Jesus’ command to walk with all my neighbors? What can I do to help create a more just society?Contact me ([email protected] or 614-241-2540). I have suggestions!
