Weighing on the side of the Light
Humanity's current challenges are vastly different and eerily the same from that of the Israelites. Our intemperate natures struggle with temptation. We desire to belong, and often make choices based on that desire. Those who are outside of the established 'cultural norms' of society face ostracization and persecution. History provides many examples of what happens when we allow a belief in the wickedness of the other to run unchecked: the creation of a Reservation system for Native Americans, slavery, the Holocaust, the murders of James Byrd and Matthew Shepherd show that as a society and individuals we are susceptible to sin. However, our collective and individual response to such atrocities weighs on the side of the light because we are called by God to change, to be counter-cultural and to find our role models both within our communities and those outside of them. We bring change, and change must be continual. God's call is dynamic.
Pope Francis has spoken eloquently and frequently on the social sins of the world. As Christians, he challenges us to find ways to build bridges, to care for the other, to find ways to bring our social institutions into parity with the spirit of Catholic Social Teaching. Pope Francis calls all people into participation in creating a new way of living, a way which heralds God's call from the time of Jonah.
Lent provides a time for individual growth, a time of metanoia. In that changing look to yourself for your best response and answer God's call to bring light to the world in the spirit of Jonah.
Author: Michele Elchlepp, Co-chair Theology Department
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