Benedictines for Peace and Social Justice

Prayer

A small child stands before us, eyes closed, presuming they are not seen or responsible as long as they are not looking at what and who is before them. The exploratory experience of “close my eyes to what is before me, what I have done” is often received as a child’s cute learning experience, not necessarily needing to be challenged; no harm done as they avoid whatever their responsibility is in having harmed another. The innocent explorations of childhood’s living with closed eyes when challenges or fears arise can become the life of denial if the pattern of dealing with inner conflict continues to be avoided as adulthood responsibilities lack a grounding sense of justice, mercy and moral responsibility.

Are President Trump and Attorney General Barr presuming that the American public will accept their reinstatement of the Federal Death Penalty in the United States with eyes closed to the reality of federally imposed “homicide” as is stated on the death certificates of Daniel Lewis Lee (July 13); Wesley Ira Purkey (July 15); Dustin Lee Honken (July 17); Keith Dwayne Nelson (August 28); William LeCroy (scheduled, September 22); and Christopher Vialva (scheduled, September 24)? If we remain silent, claiming to be unaware of what is happening, we accept responsibility for these deaths.

We are called through baptism to be prayerful people, living mindfully that our awarenesses and actions reflect our beliefs, our commitment to our faith journeys. The call to consciously live, as Christians, as people of faith, with eyes open, aware of humanity’s choices in the midst of living in the presence of the Holy Spirit’s grace can be challenging more often than many of us admit. No matter how broad the conversation, justice and mercy meet at the heart of Christian decisions and actions.

Politics and Catholic faith, although separated within institutional structures, are professed beliefs that offer grounding understanding of personal responsibilities. In 2005, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote, “Ending the death penalty would be one important step away from a culture of death and toward building a culture of life” (A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death). The life of the nation is scarred with each execution in the United States of America. Our political and faith beliefs are challenged, with eyes opened to the consequences of our actions as illustrated in the documentary, “My Life As a Death Row Executioner.”

Justice. Mercy. Moral and ethical responsibilities. Clearly understood concepts, or not. Definitions, even laws within a country cannot be addressed one concept without the other. We are being called to challenge our understanding and experience as it relates specifically to the death penalty in the United States. October 10, 2020, the “18th World Day Against the Death Penalty: Access to counsel—A matter of life or death” will bring issues of national and international action into the light of responsibilities’ voices being heard and addressed.

Time of reflection, conversation, prayer and action are needed. Questioning the actions of organizations and institutions is necessary as responsible adults, living with eyes open to the truth. And so we pray…

Stewardship

“I am very pleased that the theme chosen by the ecumenical family for the celebration of the 2020 Season of Creation is Jubilee for the Earth, precisely in this year that marks the fiftieth anniversary of Earth Day. In the Holy Scriptures, a Jubilee is a sacred time to remember, return, rest, restore, and rejoice,” begins Pope Francis in his annual letter commemorating “World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.” So begins the Season of Creation, which concludes on the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi on the fourth of October.

“In ways never before faced in history, we realize that the planet is unitary, the population interdependent, and the possibility of human destruction is real. Someone must steward the world,” stated the Sisters of Saint Benedict’s Monastery in their 1980 document, “Of All Good Gifts.” The sisters’ timeless response is the invitation, the realization of our call as stewards, “that we use what we are and what we have for the transformation of culture because creation is the Lord’s and we are its keepers; we hold it in trust. We must remember always that the earth is not so much inherited from our parents as borrowed from our children. We owe a debt to the next generation.”

Awareness, education and action, living into the individual and family-influenced decisions impact the present, into the future of a healthy planet. Scientific studies continually track how human activities are threatening the atmosphere, oceans, watercourses, land, ice cover and biosphere, forming the natural environment.

Prayerful reflection and conversation offer conscientious choices as we live into future generations. On October 10 and 17, the Spirituality Center at Saint Benedict’s Monastery will host a virtual presentation called “Laudato Sí,” where will focus on “the biblical and theological background of Laudato Sí with emphasis on why concern for the environment necessarily goes along with advocacy for the most vulnerable people and nations of the earth.”

Responsible Living

“As a nation, we share many blessings and strengths, including a tradition of religious freedom and political participation. However, as a people, we face serious challenges that are both political and moral. This has always been so and as Catholics we are called to participate in public life in a manner consistent with the mission of our Lord, a mission that he has called us to share,” begins the U.S. Bishops’ Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. The document’s 92 points are arranged in three sections: The U.S. Bishops’ Reflection on Catholic Teaching and Political Life; Applying Catholic Teaching to Major Issues: A Summary of Policy Positions of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; and Goals for Political Life: Challenges for Citizens, Candidates, and Public Officials.

The document mentioned, available in both English and Spanish, offers foundational understanding and beliefs of the Catholic Church. It can be both a helpful and challenging source of information as we prepare for 2020 elections. References to Church and biblical documents are noted throughout the texts.

On June 3, 2020, Pope Francis stated, “We cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life.” The Pope is challenging Americans to prayerfully reflect on the defense, promotion and protection of the sacredness of life when preparing to vote: “Our defense of the innocent unborn, for example, needs to be clear, firm and passionate, for at stake is the dignity of a human life, which is always sacred and demands love for each person, regardless of his or her stage of development. Equally sacred, however, are the lives of the poor, those already born.” Referencing Gaudete et Exsultate, Rejoice and Be Glad, the General Audience, June 2, 2020, and Evangelii Gaudium, The Joy of the Gospel, as sources of reference when comparing the platform of both presidential candidates, Pope Francis reminds the faithful that, “A good Catholic meddles in politics.”

Preparation for state and national elections is the responsibility of each citizen, realizing that our politicians need to be representative of us—we are the reality and reflection of our nation when we vote. Local and national discussions “begin at home” for much of the nation. Entering into productive conversations depends on our willingness to educate ourselves and listen to each other throughout the process of preparing for and participating in the election process. Numerous sources of information are available on the internet, within the resources section of our website and throughout civic and faith-based organizations.

Reflection

One year and three months after Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, Rev. King traveled to Norway. “The quest for peace and justice” were the first words uttered by Dr. King as he accepted the Nobel Prize on December 11, 1964. Fifty-six years later ,his voice continues to challenge us, “Seeking justice, exposing poverty, and confronting our poverty of spirit.”

Resources

“Listen carefully and attend with the ear of your heart.” Loosely quoted, Saint Benedict invites, challenges, maybe even demands the faithful to become listeners. To realize we are called to listen, and to hear, there is a difference—first from within. One of the many ways to enter into the journey is to read and reflect. Then the conversation begins.