In the tumultuous 1960s and 70s , Merton wrote a number of essays dealing with the social and political upheavals of the times : peace , racial tolerance , poverty , and social equality . In the Church he was a prophetic voice for peace , justice , and non-violence .
Do you have a hunger and thirst for righteousness ? Do you have a commitment to dedicate your time and energy to issues of social justice , such as the end of abortion , human trafficking , racism , war , and oppression of every kind ?
DOROTHY DAY Blessed Are the Peacemakers
One woman who dedicated her life to the cause of peace was Dorothy Day , co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement . Reflecting on her childhood , she wrote , Whatever I had read as a child about the saints thrilled me . I could see the nobility of giving one ’ s life for the sick , the maimed , the leper . . . . But there was another question in my mind . Why was so much done in remedying the evil instead of avoiding it in the first place ?. . . Where were the saints to try to change the social order , not just to minister to the slaves , but to do away with slavery ?
After her conversion to the Catholic Church , Dorothy spent many years looking for a way to reconcile her faith and her commitment to change the social order . The answer came in 1932 with a providential meeting with Peter Maurin . Along with publishing the Catholic Worker newspaper , Dorothy and Peter opened “ houses of hospitality ” for the poor in New York City .
In keeping with her commitment to the central message of the Sermon on the Mount , Dorothy became a tireless advocate for peace and non – violence . This commitment led her to engage in campaigns of civil disobedience , protesting civil defense bills , the Cold War , and the war in Vietnam . Whether one agrees or not with her stance on these issues , her effort to live what she believed is a challenge to us all .
In his book , My Life With The Saints , Fr . James Martin recalls that in 1973 , at the age of 76 , Dorothy was arrested and jailed for her participation in a United Farm Workers Rally . A striking black and white photograph taken that day shows the birdlike , grayhaired woman wearing a secondhand dress and sitting on a folding chair . Dorothy gazes up calmly at two burly police officers , armed , who towered over her . “ Here ” observes Fr . Martin , “ is a portrait of a lifetime of commitment , the dignity of discipleship and the absolute rightness of the gospel .”
As we look around our world today where chaos , violence , misunderstanding , and hatred seem to rule the day , do we not find ourselves asking , Where are our peace-makers ? Do you resonate with the call to be a peacemaker in your extended family , parish community , congregation , work place , local or national government ?
OSCAR ROMERO Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted for Righteousness Sake
The cost of discipleship takes many forms ; at times it leads to a willingness to accept persecution for righteousness sake , and in the process risk martyrdom . Such was the cost Bishop Oscar Romero eventually paid in his choice to become a spokesman for the poor and oppressed of El Salvador . But he didn ’ t begin his priesthood with such an awareness or commitment .
We pick up his life story as the newly appointed Archbishop of El Salvador : 1977-1980 .
Members of the government , military , and the oligarchy families were delighted with his appointment for they considered him safe — one of them . Within three years , however , Romero underwent a radical conversion that had profound implications for himself , his Church , and especially for the poor . This conversion was brought about through relationships .
First , his eyes were opened and his compassion increased as he listened to the heart-breaking stories of widows , mothers , and daughters describing the episodes of fathers , husbands , brothers , sons being taken from their homes , tortured , mutilated or killed right in front of them by the military because of their efforts to organize and better themselves .
Second , his eyes were opened by the assassination of his close friend , Fr . Rutilio Grande , SJ , a former teacher and rector of the national seminary who was respected and loved by all . This death further unmasked the truth — the oppression of a government against anyone who sought to help the poor rise out of their poverty and oppression .
What follows is an excerpt from Romero ’ s funeral homily :
“ Real persecution has been directed against the poor , the body of Christ . . . . And for that reason when the Church has organized and united itself around the hopes and anxieties of the poor , it has incurred the same fate as that of Jesus and of the poor : persecution .”
Two gunmen assassinated Bishop Romero while he was celebrating Mass on March 24 , 1980 . Aware of the possibility of assassination , he had stated , “ If my death is accepted by God , let it be for the liberation of my people and a testament of hope in the future .”
Unfortunately , the cost of discipleship and the suffering of martyrdom are taking many forms throughout the world and in our own country today . Are you , in a particular way , being called to stand up and speak out for the cause of justice and righteousness ?
As you have reflected upon these disciples of Jesus who model for us how to live a particular Beatitude , I hope you also have caught a glimpse of what holiness looks like . The self-giving love modeled by Jesus found unique expression in the way they lived ; in the choices they made ; in the struggles to be faithful even in the face of doubts and disappointments .
Each person provides inspiration for us to go and do likewise . Jesus ’ spirituality , his Beatitudes , finds expression through us .
Dr . Patricia Cooney Hathaway is professor of spirituality and systematic theology at Sacred Heart .
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