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| Spirituality |
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| September 11, 2003 Edition |
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In a Nutshell
Racism is all around, but it is possible to remain oblivious to it.
Racism destroys bonds between people, preventing them from sharing their gifts, experiences and insights freely. Judging people by skin color wounds their dignity and injures our own.
To be "nonracist" is one thing. But becoming "anti-racist" requires action that works against systems that perpetuate racism.
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Food for Thought
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"Not taking peoples of other races seriously" is one of racism's many forms, Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley once said. He is Boston's new archbishop.
And not taking people of other races seriously can almost seem "normal." At a June 2003 theological convention in Cincinnati, Ohio, Jon Nilson, a theologian at Loyola University of Chicago, said: "Racism makes oppression seem normal, preferred, legitimate and, therefore, hard to detect and uproot precisely because it is part of 'the way things are.'"
Ignoring, marginalizing, dismissing: These can rank among racism's dynamics, Nilson suggested.
But taking people seriously means welcoming their talents, insights and experiences. Bishop Donald Pelotte of Gallup, N.M., in a 2003 report to the U.S. bishops on Native Americans, stressed the importance of knowing "who the Native people are in your diocese" and learning what "gifts they have to offer" as well as their needs.
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Racism, and the Challenge It Presents to Families
By Andrew Lyke Jr.
Catholic News Service
Addressing the issues around race is difficult for families, especially families of color living in a racially diverse setting.
When our daughter at age 4 began to ask who's black and who's white, the complexities of race and how it shapes our ideas about people, community, family and nation became even more apparent to my wife Terri and me. At the root of our firstborn's perplexity was our family's broad array of skin tones.
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The "Third Saturday of the Month" Club
By Father Maurice J. Nutt, CSSR
Catholic News Service
Have you ever noticed that when the topic of race or racism is mentioned, we typically become uncomfortable? Our emotions may range from embarrassment, guilt or shame to anger, hurt or pain.
I believe that these emotions will persist unless we as the body of Christ deal with the matter of racial differences openly and honestly.
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Racism: Easy to Acquire, Hard to Overcome
By Daniel S. Mulhall
Catholic News Service
Joan Osborne's 1996 hit music single "One of Us" does what so many people fail to do. It takes the incarnation seriously. Osborne asks, "What if God were one of us?"
Christians believe that God was one of us, that Jesus -- the Son of God -- became man and lived among us, like us in all things but sin. Because Jesus became man, he made a gift to humanity of a special dignity that was given originally in creation: "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness'" (Genesis 1:26).
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Faith in the Marketplace
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This Week's Discussion Point:
Describe an effort of your parish, school or diocese to combat racism.
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Selected Response From Readers:
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Copyright © 2003 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
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This week's readings
Week of September 14 - 20
Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003
Reading I: Nm 21:4b-9
Reading II: Phil 2:6-11
Gospel: Jn 3:13-17
Monday, Sept. 15, 2003
Reading I: 1 Tm 2:1-8
Gospel: Jn 19:25-27
Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2003
Reading I: 1 Tm 3:1-13
Gospel: Lk 7:11-17
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Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2003
Reading I: 1 Tm 3:14-16
Gospel: Lk 7:31-35
Thursday, Sept. 18, 2003
Reading I: 1 Tm 4:12-16
Gospel: Lk 7:36-50
Friday, Sept. 19, 2003
Reading I: 1 Tm 6:2c-12
Gospel: Lk 8:1-3
Saturday, Sept. 20, 2003
Reading I: 1 Tm 6:13-16
Gospel: Lk 8:4-15
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Pope's Prayer Intentions
September General Intention
The countries suffering because of war, terrorism, and violence: That these countries may find the way of reconciliation, concern, and peace.
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September Mission Intention
The Christian communities of Central Asia: That those who dwell among other religious traditions may be committed to spreading the Good News of the Kingdom through their faith.
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