DISCIPLESHIP
"To the extent that racial bias affects our personal attitudes and judgments, to the extent that we allow another's race to influence our relationship and limit our openness, to the extent that we see yet close our hearts to our brothers and sisters in need, - to that extent we are called to conversion and renewal in love and justice."
"As individuals we should try to influence the attitudes of others by expressly rejecting racial stereotypes, racial slurs and racial jokes. We should influence the members of our families, especially our children, to be sensitive to the authentic human values and cultural contributions of each racial grouping in our country."
"We should become more sensitive ourselves and thereby sensitize our acquaintances by learning more about how social structures inhibit the economic, educational, and social advancement of the poor. We should make a personal commitment to join with others in political efforts to bring about justice for the victims of such deprivation."
"We would betray commitment to evangelize ourselves and our society were we not to strongly voice our condemnation of attitudes and practices so contrary to the Gospel."
Racism is a sin; a sin that divides the human family, blots out the image of God among specific members of that family, and violates the fundamental human dignity of those called to be children of the same Father. Racism is the sin that says some human beings are inherently superior and others essentially inferior because of races. It is the sin that makes racial characteristics the determining factor for the exercise of human right.
It mocks the words of Jesus: "Treat others the way you have them treat you." Indeed, racism is more than a disregard for the words of Jesus; it is a denial of the truth of the dignity of each human being revealed by the mystery of the Incarnation."
"We affirm the teachings of Vatican II on the liturgy by noting that "the liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed." The Church must "respect and foster the spiritual . . . gifts of the various races and peoples" and encourage the incorporation of these gifts into the liturgy."
Brothers and Sisters To Us
Discipleship is the act of following after Christ in everyday life. It is revealed in our relationships, our attitudes, our work, and our worship. Indeed, Christian discipleship involves our every thought, deed, word, and intention. Our following after Christ is nurtured by prayer, the Word, spiritual study, and actions on behalf of charity and justice. Joining with the Christian Community fosters our discipleship through preaching, liturgy, and preeminently by gathering around the Lord’s Eucharistic Table.
While racism is systemic it is also personal. It is virtually impossible to grow up in our society and not be infected with the sin of racism. Christian discipleship calls us to repentance and conversion from this sin. What are some ways that you and your can parish take up the task of confronting racism and provide the nurture necessary to bring healing? The task of the parish and of each and every baptized Catholic is to make disciples, disciples of Jesus who in his earthly life was the model of inclusivity, crossing the barriers of gender, race, and nationality.
Each of us needs to regularly hear preaching on themes of racial and social justice. Each of us needs liturgies where we are exposed to the many cultures which make us a catholic – universal church. Many have testified how parish twinning between faith communities of different ethnic backgrounds can help to foster understanding and lead to greater Christian love. We need opportunities for service and actions on behalf of justice which bring about solidarity between peoples. Educational opportunities where we can reflect upon our attitudes and prejudices, learn about the reality of racism in our society, grow in our appreciation of other cultures, and develop strategies to overcome racism are vital for our life as Christian disciples. Finally, as disciples seeking to dismantle racism, we must be converted to the Church’s social teaching, as many of the injustices in this world are rooted in racism.
Starting points to meet this call to discipleship:
• Take a preaching workshop with emphasis on social justice. Make themes of racial and social justice a regular part of your continuing education. If you are a lay person or clergy, consider the Peace and Justice Institute certificate course of study. (Offered by the Peace and Social Justice Ministry)
• Work with you parish Worship Commission to design liturgies that promote racial justice and celebrate cultural diversity as a regular part of parish worship.
• Join your parish Peace and Justice Committee or Christian Service Commission and develop service outreaches, community organizing, and advocacy networks, focusing on racial justice. If your parish does not have a peace and justice committee then take the initiative in forming one, utilizing the Peace and Social Justice Ministry program – Moving Faith Into Action.
• Become involved with your parish religious education program and help institute education programs on racial justice and multiculturalism. There are a number of good programs available. We specifically recommend that parishes begin with Many Faces in God’s House – (Encuentro 2000). The Many Faces in God’s House process provides a well planned strategy that is applicable for parishes as well diocesan and other organizational use. It can be a very positive means of bringing cultures together in a meaningful way, addressing the issues which prevent us from being truly a multicultural, "catholic" Church.
