Our cities have been the scene of peaceful protests and violent unrest over the last week, but the fundamental issues from which we must not be distracted that are at the heart of our social malignancies are injustice, discrimination, and deprivation of human dignity. Anyone viewed as “lesser than” is marginalized, and this is an affront to God who hears the cry of the poor, the oppressed, and the afflicted.
As we ponder our part in the perpetuation of discrimination, and our part in the social solution we must be guided by the Catholic Social Teaching http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/seven-themes-of-catholic-social-teaching.
In his message for the celebration of the Day of Peace in 1972, Pope Paul VI wrote
“IF YOU WANT PEACE, WORK FOR JUSTICE.”
The sentiment remains true today. If you want peace in our world, in our nation and city, and in our lives, work first for justice and abiding peace will follow.
The Spirit’s Whispers 