Justice Challenge: In this week’s Gospel, Jesus promises to send his Spirit to dwell in his followers so they don’t feel abandoned. He also gifts them with peace. Your challenge this week is to be a peace-maker. Who in your family needs to make peace with someone? Who are the people at work or school who are in conflict with each other? Who in the world is at war? Do two things this week. Take action to bring people together in your personal life. And pray for peace in a place around the globe where conflict is a way of life. In both cases, let the Spirit promised by Jesus guide you to be a person of peace.
Justice Challenge: We can do no lasting good for the world on our own. We need the support of a loving community. Only communities, not individuals, produce great works. We build up the kingdom of justice by being a kingdom of love. Jesus commanded us to love one another for good reason. It is from love that justice blossoms. The challenge this week is to do something that builds unity in your family and in your parish. Without love uniting you to others, you are a silent symphony to the world.
Justice Challenge: Justice takes courage. Those who speak out for and act on behalf of those who are being mistreated often face persecution. In some parts of the world, they face torture and death. Jesus is the good shepherd and promises that no one will snatch his sheep out of his hand. We can face the greatest threats with courage when we stand up for what is right because we know that even if the worst possible thing happens to us, we will end up in the protection of our good shepherd. The challenge this week is to overcome your fear and speak up for or act on behalf of someone who is being mistreated… knowing that Jesus has your back.
Justice Challenge: It was a huge catch of fish…“so many fish they could not haul the net in…. In spite of the great number, the net was not torn.” Yes, there is room for more. The net represents the Church. Our churches need to be full, but they often are not. Why? There are certainly plenty of people populating the areas around most churches, yet the people aren’t joining. Perhaps we are only casting our nets in familiar waters. Jesus suggests casting the net elsewhere. The challenge is to expand our vision of who should belong. Are there people living in your community who might not be desirable members of your church? Start talking to other parishioners about how to reach out to them. The net is strong enough to hold all of you together.
Justice Challenge: A consistent theme in Catholic social teaching is the preferential option for the poor and vulnerable. God loves all people but has a soft spot in his heart for the poor and vulnerable members of society. Thomas was vulnerable because he missed out on the first appearance of Jesus to the Apostles. He was an outsider in the group, and he expressed his sense of being “distant” by refusing to believe their story. When Jesus arrived again with Thomas present, he directed his attention to the vulnerable Thomas. Jesus loved all of his followers, but Thomas was in need of special, preferential attention. Jesus delivered, and Thomas believed. The challenge this week is to give attention to the outsider in your group. Draw that person back in with your love. It’s just the right thing to do as we celebrate Divine Mercy!
Justice Challenge: Those of us who are committed to working for justice in the world often find ourselves addressing one problem after another. We can get into a rut of cynicism when our spirits become depleted from all of our problem-solving. It is important for the ministry of justice to step back from the darkness of injustice and celebrate the beauty of what is right with the world. Your Easter challenge is to enhance your spirit of gratitude for the good and just things that happen around you all the time. Identify them and rejoice for Christ is rising in them.
Justice Challenge: Jesus Christ, Superstar! Palm Sunday reminds us that it is easy to love someone who is successful, especially when that someone is on our side. What happens when our superstars and heroes fail and disappoint us? We often forget the good they’ve done, and we join the chorus of critics. The challenge this week is to identify a superstar whom we may have criticized because this celebrity let us down. How can we offer compassionate words when others are engaged in slander?
Justice Challenge: What is the role of anger and rage in our lives? What purpose does it serve? We often think that when we feel anger, we need to express it… we need to get it out of our system. Perhaps anger has a different purpose as Jesus suggests to the angry crowd that is about to hurl stones at the guilty woman. Perhaps anger is a signal that there is something wrong inside of us, some pain that has surfaced because we have witnessed an injustice in the world and our consciences are feeling pricked. Anger can trick us into thinking that the injustice is outside of us or that we are above it. But Jesus suggests that when we seek justice with anger, rage, or revenge, we should use our anger to look within and hurl stones at our own sin. The challenge this week is to address the injustice that has root in our own souls.
Justice Challenge: Sometimes we become so enamored with the Parable of the Prodigal Son that we forget the interaction that prompted its telling. Jesus told the iconic parable in response to being criticized by the Pharisees and scribes for welcoming and eating with sinners. Who is welcome into your home? With whom are you willing to dine? The challenge this week is to spend some leisure time with someone who has made some serious mistakes and may even have a bad reputation. Can you offer the compassionate presence of Christ to this person and discern the goodness that lies beneath the surface of this person’s life?
Justice Challenge: As we enter more deeply into Lent, we recall Jesus washing the feet of his apostles. This action contains two essential challenges for those who seek justice in the world: the challenge to serve and the challenge to be served. Jesus sets the example to serve in ways that may seem to be beneath us and calls Peter to accept service. Many great leaders, even in the corporate world, spend some of their time doing the work of the lowest paid person in the organization as an important reminder that all work is valuable. This act is also a beautiful sign that the service of these all-too-often forgotten people is well-received by the leader. Step out of your comfort zone this week and do a task that may seem to be beneath you. Experience the dignity in your simple service.
Justice Challenge: Luke’s Gospel retells the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus. God tells the apostles to listen to his beloved son, Jesus. We too are called to listen to him, and to follow him as missionary disciples. Your challenge this week is to listen to Jesus’ call to be people of justice and service. How can you live out Jesus’ teaching that what we do for the least of our brothers and sisters, we do for him? Who needs love and support in your life?
Justice Challenge: On March 15th we celebrate the feast day of Saint Louise De Marillac. She was known to have “an open heart for the poor.” She formed a religious order for women with Saint Vincent de Paul which became known as the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul. Your challenge this week is to explore your own heart and ask yourself if you have an open heart for the poor. Then take specific action to help someone who is poor. Volunteer at a homeless shelter, donate money to a helping agency, or invite someone in need into your home for a meal.
Justice Challenge: Sunday’s Gospel has Jesus challenging us about critiquing the speck in our brother’s eye when we have a wooden beam in our own. This speaks to Jesus’ sense of humor, but also to his passion for seeing everyone as created in God’s image. As Pope Francis would say, “Who are we to judge?” Your challenge this week is to think of a person or a group of people whom you have judged. Spend some time in prayer and reflection, recalling that they are children of God and looking for signs of goodness that you may not have seen before. Then pray for them sincerely and honestly, asking God to bless them and help them to grow deeper in their love for Him
We are very pleased to announce an addition to our team. Colton Rodgers has accepted the position of Coordinator of Youth Ministry and will begin working with our teens mid-March. Welcome Colton!!