The Madison Catholic Herald -- September 25, 2003 Edition -- Spirituality



		Spirituality

		September 25, 2003 Edition

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• Faith Alive
• This week's readings

• Pope's Prayer Intentions

In a Nutshell

The church is made up of people, and those people individually and collectively are part of the political system.

Christian citizens encounter opportunities -- through voting, volunteering and serving others in various ways -- to serve as leaven within society.

A good Christian citizen analyzes the issues, advocates positions and policies that promote Christian values, and takes action to implement them.

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Food for Thought
		It's never easy to make hard choices. But I suspect that is what the "Christian citizen" often has to do: Make hard choices about difficult issues of our times that have important moral ramifications. What makes a choice hard? Maybe it isn't popular. Maybe it makes us uncomfortable. Maybe it requires analysis of complex, competing concerns that leave us feeling confused. Maybe it bears a cost or exacts a toll. Hard choices don't tend to allow us to act out of self-interest as that term usually is understood. The Vatican speaks of a need for believers to establish a "coherence between faith and life." This coherence, the Vatican has said, needs to be established on issues ranging from abortion and euthanasia to peace and care for the poor. full story

What Do Christian Citizens Want for Society?

By Father Robert L. Kinast

Catholic News Service

A friend in the Unitarian Church recently invited me to speak to his study group about the Catholic position on population statistics. The meeting soon turned into a question-and-answer session about Catholic teachings and practices. Toward the end, one person said it seems as though Catholics try to impose moral judgments about abortion on the whole society; the person asked why this is so.

I responded that since Catholics are in a minority, it is impossible to impose our view about anything on the whole nation. It is, however, entirely proper that we present our positions and argue for them as strenuously as possible.

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Connecting Life in This World to Life in the Next

By Father David K. O'Rourke, OP

Catholic News Service

We have inherited an ancient religious perspective that divides our citizenship duties into two parts. We are citizens of this world. But one day we also will be citizens of the next world.

It is a view that can, if we allow it, appear to separate these two cities or worlds and divide the duties of these two citizenships from each other, as though they are opposed. But it is quite possible to connect the two worlds and to view our duties as Christians in this world in light of this connection.

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The Parish's Here and Now World

By Father Herbert Weber

Catholic News Service

A few months before every major election I receive a packet in the mail from church officials reminding priests what they can and cannot do as church representatives during an election campaign. For example, they are not to endorse any particular candidate, but at the same time should remind voters that many issues have moral ramifications. Usually a list of social and political issues to consider is included.

The Catholic Church is a part of society. Catholics not only vote, they also often speak out about what is happening. What's more, many individuals who hold public office are Catholic.

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	Faith in the Marketplace
		This Week's Discussion Point: Tell of an occasion your local church made its voice known on a public issue.
		Selected Response From Readers:

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This week's readings

Week of September 28 - October 4

Sunday, Sept. 28, 2003
Reading I: Nm 11:25-29
Reading II: Jas 5:1-6
Gospel: Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

Monday, Sept. 29, 2003
Reading I: Dn 7:9-10, 13-14
Gospel: Jn 1:47-51

Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003
Reading I: Zec 8:20-23
Gospel: Lk 9:51-56

Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003
Reading I: Neh 2:1-8
Gospel: Lk 9:57-62

Thursday, Oct. 2, 2003
Reading I: Neh 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12
Gospel: Mt 18:1-5, 10

Friday, Oct. 3, 2003
Reading I: Bar 1:15-22
Gospel: Lk 10:13-16

Saturday, Oct. 4, 2003
Reading I: Bar 4:5-12, 27-29
Gospel: Lk 10:17-24

Pope's Prayer Intentions

October General Intention

To follow Christ with enthusiasm: That young people may follow Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and bear witness to him in all the situations of their lives.

October Mission Intention

Pastors rich in wisdom and holiness: That God provide His Church with holy pastors to defend the light of the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

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