We Must Respond To Violence, Not React To It

While I am not sure if someone within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

looked ahead before determining Sept. 9 to be the National Day of Prayer for Peace in our Communities, the scripture readings for Friday of the 23rd week in Ordinary time certainly spoke to the focus of the theme. The Holy Spirit provides for those who dare to open their minds and hearts to the will of the Father and the way of the Son.  May this be so for us as we seek ways to respond rather than react to the increasing acts of violence, hatred and terrorism that are plaguing our country and world.

    As St. Paul makes clear in his letter to the Corinthians, we are bound to proclaim the

Gospel.  We cannot preach just any gospel or message, especially not one’s own personal

agenda.  The Gospel that we are bound to proclaim is the Good News of Jesus Christ.  To do

otherwise is to do harm rather than build up the community of faith and draw others into right

relationship with God and humanity through Jesus Christ.  Furthermore, the way of Jesus Christ

is not directed toward exclusion but inclusion.  As Jesus, the face of the Father’s mercy has made

so abundantly clear, God desires that all be saved.  Whether or not each person is saved is

determined by one’s willingness to respond with humility to God’s plan of salvation.

    On Sept. 9, we recalled the heroic witness of virtue displayed so beautifully in the

life and service of St. Peter Claver.  Born in June 1581 and noted for his intelligence and piety

while studying at the University of Barcelona, he became a Spanish Jesuit priest and missionary.  

Becoming very disturbed at the harsh treatment and living conditions of black slaves being

brought from Africa to the Americas, he devoted his life and ministry to serving those on the

margins of society – as Pope Francis would say.  Rather than be driven to anger and despair, he

chose to act in faith, hope and charity.  Reportedly baptizing more than 300,000 during his 38 years of  service to African slaves, St. Peter Claver referred to himself as “the slave of the slaves forever.”  

    Just as St. Peter Claver brought great attention to the plight of human rights and dignity

for African slaves, our proclamation of the Gospel must give credible witness to the dignity and

rights of every human being.  Only by taking to heart Jesus’ instruction of removing the wooden

beam from one’s own eye before attempting to remove the splinter in the eye of another can we

get beyond our fears, misunderstandings, petty self-righteousness, vengeance and even

indifference.  Only then do we find ways to respond rather than react to injustice.  Violence only

begets violence.  Death begets death.  The Gospel message calls us to the witness of mercy,

peace, forgiveness, humility, justice and life.  We must be conduits of dialogue, predicated on

civility, compassion, courage and competence toward mutual respect and trust.

    For Christians, the proclamation of the Gospel in both word and action is not an option.  

Like St. Paul, we are bound to proclaim it…and woe to us if we do not do so.  Regardless of

political, ethnic, ideological or religious differences, we must first look to one another as

brothers and sisters rather than as problems or threats to be solved.  Removing the wooden beam

from one’s own eye first includes taking a look at whether we are actually contributing to the

problem rather than being a part of the solution; how we might pose a threat or concern

rather than an assurance of friendship to others.  All lives indeed matter to God. They must matter to us.  The ultimate act of proclaiming the Gospel is the embrace of the cross.  Embracing the cross with Jesus Christ our Savior, may we seek to forgive rather than condemn, to love rather than hate, to lift up rather than tear down and even dare to absorb rather than perpetuate injustice. The Gospel way of Jesus Christ is not the easiest; but it is the only real means of establishing true peace.