San Pedro Region Social Justice Ministry

Parish social justice ministry resources from the San Pedro Region Social Justice Committee

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Tag Archives: mercy of God

Fifth Sunday of Lent April 2, 2017 Lectionary Reflection

Posted on March 20, 2017 by Barb Born
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April 2, 2017: Fifth Sunday of Lent

Catholic Social Teaching: Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
“In your school you take part in various activities that habituate you not to shut yourselves in on yourselves or in your small world, but to be open to others, especially to the poorest and neediest, to work to improve the world in which we live. Be men and women with others and for others, real champions in the service of others. To be magnanimous with interior liberty and a spirit of service, spiritual formation is necessary. Dear children, dear youths, love Jesus Christ ever more! ” Pope Francis remarks to Jesuit Schools June 7, 2013
From USCCB Pope Francis quotes:
http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/upload/pope-francis-quotes.pdf

Readings
First Reading: Ezekiel 37:12-14
Psalm: 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
Second Reading: Romans 8:8-11
Gospel: John 11:1-45

Catechism of the Catholic Church
Christ will raise us up “on the last day”; but it is also true that, in a certain way, we have already risen with Christ. For, by virtue of the Holy Spirit, Christian life is already now on earth a participation in the death and Resurrection of Christ:

And you were buried with him in Baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead . . . . If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (1002)
From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Cycle A

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

Romans Chapter 8
The salvation offered in its fullness to men in Jesus Christ by God the Father’s initiative, and brought about and transmitted by the work of the Holy Spirit, is salvation for all people and of the whole person: it is universal and integral salvation. It concerns the human person in all his dimensions: personal and social, spiritual and corporeal, historical and transcendent. It begins to be made a reality already in history, because what is created is good and willed by God, and because the Son of God became one of us. Its completion, however, is in the future, when we shall be called, together with all creation (cf. Rom 8), to share in Christ’s resurrection and in the eternal communion of life with the Father in the joy of the Holy Spirit. This outlook shows quite clearly the error and deception of purely immanentistic visions of the meaning of history and in humanity’s claims to self-salvation. (38)

Romans 8:1-11
In her social doctrine the Church offers above all an integral vision of man and a complete understanding of his personal and social dimensions. Christian anthropology reveals the inviolable dignity of every person and places the realities of work, economics and politics into an original perspective that sheds light on authentic human values while at the same time inspiring and sustaining the task of Christian witness in the varied areas of personal, cultural and social life. Thanks to the “first fruits of the Spirit” (Rom 8:23), Christians become “capable of discharging the new law of love (cf. Rom 8:1-11). Through this Spirit, who is ‘the pledge of our inheritance’ (Eph 1:14), the whole man is renewed from within, even to the achievement of ‘the redemption of the body’ (Rom 8:23)”.In this sense the Church’s social doctrine shows how the moral basis of all social action consists in the human development of the person and identifies the norm for social action corresponding to humanity’s true good and as efforts aimed at creating the conditions that will allow every person to satisfy his integral vocation. (522)

For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html

Reflection
Do we imprison ourselves in the tombs of sin, bound hand and foot letting a stone laden with iniquities inhibit our encounter with the mercy of God? Or do we let the Lord’s forgiveness open our self-imposed graves and rise us to an awareness of life-giving redeeming kindness where He imparts the Spirit upon us? Why would we desire to be entombed? What good does it render us or anyone else that interacts with us? Who do we serve by sheltering ourselves from the world by living in a proverbial tomb?

Seeing the futility of sheltering ourselves from God’s grace, to come forth at Jesus’ call of our name, we give glory to God. Our venturing forth proclaims our belief in Divine providence and manifests in our actions and demeanor. Secluded in a tomb provides no life to ourselves or others, a life lived in darkness dwelling in the flesh, void of the Spirit.

Jesus offers us abundant grace, freely, but like Mary, Lazarus’ sister and her companions, do we perturb Jesus by our lack of belief? He entered our humanity, to the point of weeping with Lazarus’ family and friends. In every action He offers us the opportunity to see the glory of God. But do we wrap ourselves in self-pity, focus on our immediate needs, fail to see the scope of humanity, so we can only weep to wash away belief?

Jesus was not afraid to venture through the consequences of hostile territory, the land of Judea, the reality of possible stoning, for He knew the ultimate importance was not to shelter HIs life from the world, but glorify God. An act of faith and trust, He asks us to take in our lives to speak words of power in the face of despair, comfort the mourning into newness of life, all ventures wrought with potential obstacles, impediments, challenges. But if we journey in faith, as light to the world exposing the failings and hinderances of darkness, we can only move forward propelled by the Spirit. A journey where we might have to encourage others to join us, so they see first hand what a living faith means. Moving forth from a prayerful posture to integrate faithful discipleship keen to the world, attuned with life in our mortal bodies and to heaven and eternal realities.

Individual Reflection: John 11:1-45
How does the Eucharist bring us out of tombs of indifference to a life of service?
http://www.usccb.org/about/justice-peace-and-human-development/upload/eucharist-social-mission.pdf

Family Reflection: John 11:1-45
Reflecting on media sources the family uses, discuss who is entombed today? What are some actions the family can take to address these people’s needs?

Prayer:
How might you adapt the Maryknoll Stations of the Cross in your community?
https://maryknollogc.org/way-cross-economic-and-ecological-justice

Blogs to Visit:
http://marynow.wordpress.com/
As we reflect upon Mary’s presence in the mysteries of the Rosary, we are blessed to know her. For her journey, a timeless trek, calls us to surrender, continuing conversion, humbleness and justice now.
http://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/
Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.
https://cst74life.wordpress.com/
Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.
http://idocst.wordpress.com/
How we do Catholic Social Teaching.
https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.
https://smrep.wordpress.com/
Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters

Involvement Opportunities
List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites

By Barb Born March 20, 2017. Feast of St Joseph, St Joseph pray for us. The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

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Posted in Bulletin Announcements, Catholic Social Teaching, Catholic Social Teaching Bulletin Announcements, Lectionary Resources, Lectionary Resources focused on Catholic Social Teaching, Religion, Social Justice, Spirituality, Sunday Gospel reading, Uncategorized, worship aid, worship resources | Tagged forgiveness, grace, Lazarus and Jesus, life, living faith, mercy of God | Leave a reply

Fifth Sunday of Lent March 13, 2016 Lectionary Reflection

Posted on March 7, 2016 by Barb Born
Reply

March 13, 2016:  Fifth Sunday of Lent

 

Catholic Social Teaching: Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

The common good therefore involves all members of society, no one is exempt from cooperating, according to each one’s possibilities, in attaining it and developing it. The common good must be served in its fullness, not according to reductionist visions that are subordinated by certain people to their advantages; own rather it is to be based on a logic that leads to the assumption of greater responsibility. The common good corresponds to the highest of human instincts, but it is a good that is very difficult to attain because it requires the constant ability and effort to seek the good of others as though it were one’s own good.

Everyone also has the right to enjoy the conditions of social life that are brought about by the quest for the common good. The teaching of Pope Pius XI is still relevant: “the distribution of created goods, which, as every discerning person knows, is labouring today under the gravest evils due to the huge disparity between the few exceedingly rich and the unnumbered propertyless, must be effectively called back to and brought into conformity with the norms of the common good, that is, social justice”. (167) Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

 

Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 43:16-21

Psalm: 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6

Second Reading: Philippians 3:8-14

Gospel: John 8:1-11

 

Catechism of the Catholic Church

It is precisely in the Passion, when the mercy of Christ is about to vanquish it, that sin most clearly manifests its violence and its many forms: unbelief, murderous hatred, shunning and mockery by the leaders and the people, Pilate’s cowardice and the cruelty of the soldiers, Judas’ betrayal – so bitter to Jesus, Peter’s denial and the disciples’ flight. However, at the very hour of darkness, the hour of the prince of this world, the sacrifice of Christ secretly becomes the source from which the forgiveness of our sins will pour forth inexhaustibly. (1851) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Cycle C

 

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church: No References this week

For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html

 

Reflection

When do we let a dream become spiritual reality?  The wow words of Jesus sinking into our heart.  Vivid words rebuking His mercy, testing the validity of rhetorical rhetoric can only lead us to a posture of defining laws, hurling violence, abuse and mayhem, far away from our Lord’s healing balm.

 

Losing all the detractors, those thinking their purity provides Divine credentials to evaluate, quantify and measure sin on a yardstick continuum of least to more sinfulness to discredit the solidarity sinfulness of all humanity.  Losing all worldly judges, to walk resoundly away for they have no response to unquantifiable mercy, we realize the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus as our Lord that we gain Christ.  Found only in Him, to define and have our being, without righteousness of our own, but through faith flowing mercifully from the righteousness of God.  A continual pursuit, not something we will fully grasp until the sphere of eternity.

 

How will we grasp this newness of life, life giving to not snuff out hope, but filled with joy we might announce in praise?  Will we shed ourselves of captivity by stern discipline, methodical religiosity that turns faith into a robotic pronouncement void of transformation from the teaching experiences Jesus conveyed in the dialogue of life? When society prioritizes condemnation over restoration of individuals and community, will we have the faith to ask pointed questions fostering healing or be poised to hurl stones in an instant?  Can we stand beside people to peel away layers of hostility rooted in cultural, gender and class struggles economically, socially and spiritually?  Does our faithful courage allow us to exhort others to sin no more, so we do not separate ourselves from God, one another and the whole of humanity?  With prayer in the gardens of our souls, we realize to shy away from walking with the marginalized, judged of our day denies us the freedom in the newness of life the Lord asks us to embrace. Pondering, kneeling down, etching names in our prayerful reflection, we remember those unwilling, afraid, amassed in power and control to collectively journey in the newness of life the Lord invites us into through the shedding, loss of everything that separates us from pursuing the hope in Christ, the beautiful righteousness of God.

 

Individual Reflection: Philippians 3:8-14

Plan to share fair trade chocolate eggs for Easter from CRS/SERRV:

http://www.serrv.org/category/divine-chocolate/a?c=crs&utm_source=CRS&utm_medium=Landing%2BPage&utm_campaign=Chocolate

 

Family Reflection: John 8:1-11

Discuss when you were shown mercy instead of condemnation.

 

Prayer:

Lord, unravel our compulsion to condemn, judge and isolate ourselves from one another and ultimately from you.  Help us to see the great things you have done for us, so our hearts are filled with joy.  May we look forward to what lays ahead, the newness of life now and Your eternal embrace forever.  In your dear name Jesus, we pray. Amen

 

Blogs to Visit:

http://marynow.wordpress.com/

As we reflect upon Mary’s presence in the mysteries of the Rosary, we are blessed to know her.  For her journey, a timeless trek, calls us to surrender, continuing conversion, humbleness and justice now.

http://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/

Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.

https://cst74life.wordpress.com/

Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.

http://idocst.wordpress.com/

How we do Catholic Social Teaching.

https://csmresources.wordpress.com/

Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.

 

Involvement Opportunities

List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites

 

By Barb  Born  March 7, 2016  The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

 

 

Posted in Bulletin Announcements, Catholic Social Teaching, Catholic Social Teaching and fair trade, Catholic Social Teaching Bulletin Announcements, Lectionary Resources, Lectionary Resources focused on Catholic Social Teaching, Religion, Social Justice, Spirituality, Sunday Gospel reading, Uncategorized, worship aid, worship resources | Tagged abuse, Catechism of the Catholic Church, courage, hope, joy, mayheim, mercy of God, praise, violence | Leave a reply

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