Respect Life Month

October is Respect Life Month! We are continuing our reflection on what it means to respect life. This week, we focus on how we respect and help the lives of the vulnerable and the voiceless.

Throughout the Gospel we are told to prioritize our concern for the “least” of us. Too often our society shows us that those who contribute the most have the most value, but our Scriptural tradition tells us something else. First, that our value comes from God, and it does not depend on how much we contribute to our worldly, material wealth. Jesus reminds of this repeatedly in his instructions and in his parables. The last shall be first, he says. It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter Heaven. If we want to be true disciples of Jesus, it is impossible to ignore these teachings of Christ that the poor and the weak are to be cared for, not punished. Jesus does not let anyone off the hook – in fact, we are all called to find our gifts and give what we have. Therefore, we must all recognize that none of us is gifted with everything, but it is through the gifts of one other that we become whole. This is especially true when it comes to helping those who have so little when there is so much to be shared.

It is also true that we must remain open to receive help, even by those who seem to have little to offer. We are reminded that even when we may think we have it all, or when we are “living the dream,” we may be poor in spirit. Being able to both give and receive help is essential to living in communion. Our true riches are gained through communion, not prioritizing the needs of the wealthy while casting out those who have nothing. We are to take responsibility for showing them love and care as Christ did, and as Christ commanded of us.

Who do we consider the outcasts of society? Human beings in our day are similar in some ways to the ways of people in Jesus’ society. The poor, the sick, the hungry, the prisoner were all outcasts and remain outcasts today. People living in poverty have less ability to be active shapers of their societies. The mentally ill who live on the streets or in prisons have fewer opportunities to “correct” their lives as many people expect them to, at least not without assistance.

Our society has accepted the use of capital punishment, even though our God has shown us that taking another’s life is wrong, and that all people are worthy of forgiveness, and deserve the chance to reconcile with God. Jesus himself was a victim of capital punishment, yet our society offers many justifications and that it has become somewhat socially acceptable. Are we, as disciples, doing all we can to minister to prisoners, many of whom are mentally ill and victims themselves? Do we consider them worthy of God’s mercy as equally as anyone else, or are we content to dismiss them as outcasts, or take it upon ourselves to judge them and punish them with death? Respect Life month includes thinking not only of the value of human life, but the ways we are to minister to people, and live sacramentally, in forgiveness and communion, so that all people may come to know God’s love.

Jesus has called us not to simply offer simple remedies, but to convert our hearts and transform our world. Christian service is not a program; it is not even an option. It is a commandment of discipleship. Central to discipleship are faith, ongoing conversion (which we may experience through our sacraments), and ministering to the needs of our world.

Christ often discussed the reign of God. Many expected the Messiah to be a powerful political figure, but instead Jesus was born into a humble lifestyle, and he associated with people who were far from elite. What does this suggest about his vision of the Kingdom of God? He told us that it is our job to continue his work, and our practice of service and sacrament as Catholics is part of working toward the building of his Kingdom.

Our work as Christians must be fashioned in the manner of Christ, where we befriend those who are on the margins of society, and to adopt a view of humanity where those who are cast out in any way are prized and helped as much as the richest and most elite. The kingdom to which Jesus has called us places the poor and outcasts as even more important than the wealthiest of people. Catholic social teaching has called this the preferential option for the poor. This means that discipleship is enacted by working for the dignity and empowerment of every human being. This means not only in our prayer, but in our deliberate action and proclamation of this so that it becomes part of our reality. Jesus called for real transformation, which begins with each person becoming aware, building awareness and making choices each and every day.

Ideas for Reflection and Action:

Reflection:

• Reflect on the Beatitudes (Matt 5:3-10). Pray for the Christian community to live them every day.
• How do we minister to the outcasts? How can we help change attitudes that demean the integrity of another?
• How do we promote societal values that reflect our Christian values? How do we support community and political efforts that enhance human dignity, that give everyone an opportunity to live a life free of the struggles associated with poverty, hunger, illness, when they could be prevented? Do we view human dignity as something that must be earned, or do we recognize that Christ has said that all people are truly entitled to the resources that allow them a dignified life? How do we work to promote this teaching of Christ in our society?
• How do our words and actions reflect kindness and support of those who seem to have less to give? How are we shaped spiritually through the gifts of one another?
• Do we practice forgiveness and understanding to those who have made mistakes? Do we recognize them as deserving mercy, and as people worthy of knowing God?

Action:

• Find out about poverty both locally and globally. October 16 was World Food Day. How do our choices either contribute to the ongoing problem of hunger or help to solve it?
• Learn about prison ministry and the efforts to empower, humanize, and dignify the lives of those in prison and those trying to build a life after prison.
• Join efforts to build human solidarity with those cast out of our society, and those struggling in our communities and our world. Consider the Christian value of sacrifice, and how the building up of one another may involve the sacrifice that Jesus has called for?