Summer Eats & Social Justice

Summer is here and the seasonal fruits of the land are starting to appear at grocery stores and farmers' markets. This is the perfect time to think more critically about the justice of the food we eat. That may seem strange, but there are significant social justice aspects to the growing, harvesting, transportation, distribution, and consumption of food.
     Patrick Carter, a recent graduate of Creighton University, has completed a research project about that. According to a recent interview posted at http://ncronline.org, to be more just in our eating, he says we need to change ourselves first: “Buy local food, eat out less, eat less meat and don’t over eat. We, as Christians, have a responsibility to care for God’s creations — humans, animals, earth and water — and the way we currently grow and eat food is not reflective of this call… We can have a sustainable existence by first changing ourselves by buying locally grown and ethically harvested food that has a minimized impact on the environment… [I]f the food [we eat] would more closely reflect our Christian values to love the poor and care for God’s creation, then the eaters could be in solidarity with the growers, the land, the farmers, the livestock, the harvesters and the hungry of the world, in addition to the others in the room.”
       This summer, consider doing more of your grocery shopping at your local farmers' market and selecting organically grown produce. In addition to finding healthy, fresh foods at a competitive price, you will also be promoting justice.
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)
 

The Trinity as a Model for Social Justice

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. To be sure, the mystery of a three-in-one God can be difficult to comprehend. However, one thing is clear: the Trinity exists as a communion of three persons who mutually cooperate with each other in acts of creation, sanctification, justification, and salvation. Many theologians have pointed to the Trinity as a model that we can use for all sorts of life-in-common, including families, the Church, and other forms of community. 
       Thus, the Trinity also tells us something about social justice. The relationship between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is one of close, intimate love. One powerful image of the Trinity can be found in the "Throne of Grace," in which artists using everything from canvas to stained glass have depicted the crucifixion of the Son, with the saddened Father supporting the cross and the Holy Spirit hovering nearby in solidarity.
       Such should be our relationship with each other — we should care deeply about other human beings and want to always uphold them, especially those who are suffering. We should support them, be in solidarity with them, and do what we can to raise them up.
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)
 

Lenten Practices & Social Justice, part 3

Operation Rice Bowl (ORB) is used by many parishes each year during Lent as a means of focusing on the Catholic Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting, and giving alms. The ORB web site had a great reflection on fasting this past week:

"As you plan your week, make some time to pray as the prophets did. Set aside everything — time, physical comfort, food — to listen carefully to what God is saying to you. You might consider skipping a meal and spending the time by yourself in prayer. While a mountaintop might not be handy, a chapel, winter path, or bedroom might be the place to escape distractions. Let the inevitable complaint of your stomach remind you of your reliance on God for your daily bread. Let it put you in solidarity with all who experience hunger, whether if be for food, for justice or for a brighter future."
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. 
   

Earthquake in Haiti, Solidaity, and Social Justice

It is because we are human that we are moved by the horrendous things that we see on television and in the newspapers about the human suffering in Haiti these days. The death toll continues to climb and the survivors strive to scratch out an existence, looking for water, food, health care, and protection from the heat in a country where those essentials were difficult to come by before the earthquake. 

       Fortunately, so many people throughout the world have come to the aid of the people of Haiti, through monetary donations and other aid. In situations like this, the Catholic social teaching on solidarity seems something that we feel deep within ourselves. As the US bishops have said, "We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world." Also, "A parish reaching beyond its own members and beyond national boundaries is a truly 'catholic' parish." 

       Additionally, though, the bishops remind us, "We respond very generously when the network news tells us of hurricanes and famines, but how will we help those victimized by the often less visible disasters of poverty caused by structural injustice, such as debt, ethnic conflict, and the arms trade? Our Church and parishes must call us anew to sacrifice and concern for a new generation of children who need food, justice, peace, and the Gospel." Therefore, we should be resolved to not only help restore Haiti to where it was before the earthquake, but we should go beyond that and help lift them out of the suffering that they had been experiencing.

       For more information on Catholic social teaching, go to www.usccb.org/sdwp/catholicteachingprinciples.shtml.

       To make a donation to the Catholic relief effort in Haiti, go to www.crs.org. The need is great — please be generous!

Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. 
   

Mission Sunday & Social Justice

This Sunday has been designated World Mission Sunday. It's a day when we remember -- not only with our contributions, but also in stories and pictures -- the places in the world where the Church is new, young, or poor. It's an international effort that is primarily about charity. However, that charity leads us into the Catholic social teaching on solidarity, and ultimately (it is hoped) to justice.

       The US bishops have stated on their web site (www.usccb.org), "We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world." Therefore, the Church goes to every place on the globe to stake a claim for justice and peace. Your contribution to the World Mission Sunday collection provides support for that effort. 

Copyright © 2009, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins.