Jan 19, 2017
With today’s readings, we begin the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) It is the first of the five great proclamations of Jesus in Matthew’s gospel, and is the beginning of Discipleship 1.0. When Jesus speaks of the reign of God, he names its characteristics and results for people here in the Beatitudes. The lectionary does not finish the Sermon on the Mount because Lent begins on March 1, Ash Wednesday. Commentaries on the Beatitudes abound. In this first teaching on discipleship, the overall focus is on the diminishment and erasure of the self. The Greek verb σμικροζω means “to make one’s self small”. In a society of inflated egos, Jesus presents an enormous challenge. Jesus emptied himself of his divinity to become human, and even of our humanity be dying on the cross as a criminal. To make one’s self small is also to move to the margins and to dwell in the company of the “small.” Jesus often refers to these “little ones”, and not all time about children.
OT 4 A Lectionary Catechesis
Jan 19, 2017
by Gabino Zavala, Justice and Peace Director
For the third straight year we have broken the record for the highest temperature on record as reported by NASA and the National and Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. Doesn’t this reality beg the questions, “Why is this happening?”, and “Where are we headed?” Doesn’t this challenge us to reflect on the future of our common home? Doesn’t this challenge us to act differently?
In his Encyclical Laudato Si, Pope Francis wrote, “The climate is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all.” If we are interested in preserving creation and being stewards of what God has created we must take ownership of this situation. Throughout the Encyclical Pope Francis points out that the negative effects of climate change can only be improved if the human family works together.
The United States leads all nations in consumption of natural resources and is second only to China in producing pollutants that harm the atmosphere. We have made efforts in recent times to address this reality. However, we have not done enough. With the election of Donald Trump we are faced with some promises that the made on the campaign trail that he would overturn in his first 100 days as president. He stated that he would:
- Lift restrictions on the production of the country’s shale, oil, natural gas and clean coal energy reserves;
- Green light the development of new pipelines, inviting a resubmission of the Keystone pipeline;
- Pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement.
In light of this reality please join me in urging the new administration to honor the Paris Agreement. Ask President-elect Trump to demonstrate bold leadership with this issue as he enters office.
Sign the online petition here: https://catholicclimatecovenant.salsalabs.org/fantrumppetition/index.html
