Justice At The Table

Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience.  Laudato Si #217

Pray for these unarmed water protectors being attacked by water cannons, sound cannons and tear gas.  Temperatures are near zero. Read this now.

https://www.facebook.com/kevin.happychappy/videos/1806853086253862/

All the prayers you can say.  Call your senators, your priests, your friends.

Live Laudato Si and Stand with Standing Rock.

Peace, John Kingery

The year of mercy is drawing to a close.  I shared the following at the St. Juan Diego Knights of Columbus #15729 fall dinner.

Year of Mercy Banner at St. Juan Diego Parish
photo (c) John M. Kingery 2016

Tomorrow, the election will be over.

On November, 20^th, the Jubilee Year of Mercy draws to a close.  We were a called to “Be merciful as our Father is merciful”.    Luke 6:36

Called to perform works of corporal mercy – (1) feeding the hungry, (2) giving drink to the thirsty, (3) dressing the naked, (4) housing pilgrims, (5) visit the sick, (6) visit the imprisoned and (7) bury the dead.   Welcoming the marginalized by advising those in doubt, teaching the ignorant, admonishing the sinner and consoling the afflicted.  This year was as Pope Francis wrote, “The time has come has come for the Church to take up the call for mercy once more.”

Three questions for you to reflect upon

How did you begin the Year of Mercy?

How did you live the Year of Mercy?

Have changed as you traveled through the Year of Mercy?

Beginning the Year of Mercy

Pope Francis did not open the year in Rome.  He opened at the Cathedral of Bangui in Central African Republic.  Mercy is for the whole world.

Let us all implore peace, mercy, reconciliation, forgiveness and love. For Bangui, for the entire Central African Republic, for the whole world, for those countries experiencing war, let us ask for peace! Now, all together, let us ask for love and peace. All together: Doyé Siriri!

My wife Ann and I began the year by attending Saturday morning Mass at St. Juan Diego on December 8^th.  Fr. Terry’s homily reminded us that Mary knows no borders and the God knows no borders.   Later that day, I traveled to the Muslim Educational Trust for the opening of their community center.  I marveled at the resolve of those attending to work for peace, understanding and reconciliation between all people.

Leaving early, I picked Ann up for the Sacrament of Reconciliation at St. Pius X.   I waited, gazing at the crucifix hanging behind the altar.  Christ’s arms and hands are open.  “And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” (John 12:32)  The year of Mercy was to involve pilgrimage.  You could say we went on a pilgrimage that Saturday.

Starting year in this manner helped me to experience God’s mercy and share that mercy with others who were not Catholic.  “May it open us to even more fervent dialogue so that we might know and understand one another better; may it eliminate every form of closed-mindedness and disrespect, and drive out every form of violence and discrimination.” 

Living the Year

As the year has progressed, I have had the opportunity to pass through two doors of Mercy.  The first was at the Grotto with Ann.  Along with passing through that door, we went to the mediation chapel.  I prayed for our country to come together to address the on-going violence.

Second, I was in Chicago attending a conference and passed through the door of Mercy at St. Xavier University. Again, I prayed for our nation.  At that conference, I met Deacon Randy Clement from Louisiana. He had lost his uncle (priest), niece (God daughter) and nephew (county sheriff) due to violent robberies, domestic violence and drug busts.  Through the pain, he has forgiven them.

“Be merciful as our Father is merciful”.

A month after the conference, Ann and I were involved in a head on-collision.  Air bags deployed and our car was totaled.  Every day since, we have prayed for the other driver that he turn from drugs, evil ways and dangerous acquaintances.  He too is worthy of God’s Mercy!

Have you changed?

I am more aware when I am judging others.  Mercy can be freeing.  God’s mercy is limitless.  Mercy and Justice come together in Love which leads to Peace.  There is still work to be done. That is important to remember.

What is coming?

Año de la bandera de la Misericordia.
Photo (c) John M. Kingery 2016

In our readings, we are moving from Luke’s Sermon on the Plain where “Be merciful as our Father is merciful” is found to Matthew’s Beatitudes Sermon on the mount where to “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.”

Along with closing out the Year of Mercy, I want to extend a personal invitation to join me on Sunday, Nov. 20, at 5:30 p.m. at the Muslim Educational Trust, 10330 S.W. Scholls Ferry Rd., in Tigard for an evening dedicated to activism and reinvigorating the beloved community.

Finally, Jesus lamented for Jerusalem – As he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.” Luke 19:41-42

In Christ and Peace,   John

Angel Calling
Photo (c) 2016 John M. Kingery

The election is over and regardless of you voted for; we still live in the same country.  More importantly we are Christians.  We not only worship the Lord at church, we are called to worship through working for justice, caring for the poor and oppressed.

In my heart is the calling and truth – “Be a voice for the poor and the vulnerable” and “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:7.

Yes, remember the poor in our communities, nation and the world.  The vulnerable are not only the unborn.  The vulnerable are the homeless, the refugees, and people of color, Muslims, Native Americans, Hispanics and LGBTQ.  We are called to be a voice of truth, justice, love and freedom.

In the spirit of St. Pope John XXIII –

Truth builds peace when we sincerely acknowledge our rights, but also our duties towards others. 

Justice builds peace when we respect the rights of others and actually fulfill our duties towards them. 

Love builds peace when we feel the needs of others as our own and share what we have with others.

Freedom builds peace when we act according to reason and assume responsibility for our actions. 

We are called to see Jesus in everyone.   Never confront, but reach out and listen.

Peace, John

Without a vision the people lose restraint, but happy the one who follow instruction. Proverbs 28:19 New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

The footnotes state “Vision” and “instruction” mean authoritative guidance for the community. People are demoralized without credible leadership.

As of this Monday, there have been 252 shootings resulting in 98 deaths and 197 injuries.   Two years ago, in the United States 51,819 shootings took place with 12,590 were killed and 23,025 injured.  Last year, 53,301 shootings took place, 13,433 died and 27,016 were injured.

www.gunviolencearchive.org/last-72-hours

These are not merely numbers; they are parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers.  Thru out our country, people are being injured and dying as the result of gun violence.   What voices were heard last week, year and over 2,000 years ago?

John Lewis, Georgia 5th District
(c) 2016, John M. Kiingery

A notable voice was Rep. John Lewis, Georgia 5^th district he began the protest in the House of Representatives –

“We have lost hundreds and thousands of innocent people to gun violence, tiny little children, babies, students and teachers, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, daughters and hundreds and thousands of innocent people to gun violence, tiny little children, babies, students and teachers, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, daughters and sons, friends and neighbors . And what has this body done?  Mr. Speaker, nothing. Not one thing. We have turned a deaf ear. We have turned deaf ears to the blood of the innocent and the concern of our nation.” 

Full speech video –

Rep. Paul Ryan, Wisconsin 1st District
(c) 2016, John M.Kingery

Rep. Paul Ryan, Wisconsin 1^st district and speaker of the House, was one of many voices in opposition.  “This is nothing more than a publicity stunt.”  He shut off cameras and then called the House back into session at 2:45 am on Thursday morning.  Speaker Ryan dressed in opened the session, but did not remain, instead he left the chamber.  Then Steve Womack, Arkansas 3^rd district, serving as speaker pro tempore dressed in white eventually closed ended the session.  Night had become day; black had become white.

Steve Womack, Arkansas 3rd district
(c) 2016, John M. Kingery

Nine months earlier, another individual dressed in white was speaking from the rostrum of the House.  That individual was Pope Francis.  Speaking to the joint session of Congress, he asked a question and gave an honest answer about the selling of deadly weapons.  There is a global arms trade, but also a national arms trade.

Why are deadly weapons being sold to those who plan to inflict untold suffering on individuals and society? Sadly, the answer, as we all know, is simply for money: money that is drenched in blood, often innocent blood. In the face of this shameful and culpable silence, it is our duty to confront the problem and to stop the arms trade.”  Pope Francis, Address to the Joint Session, September 23, 2015.

As believers and people of good will, we can no longer be indifferent. “Indifference and lack of commitment constitute a grave dereliction of the duty whereby each of us must work in accordance with our abilities and our role in society for the promotion of the common good, and in particular for peace, which is one of mankind’s most precious goods.”  Pope Francis, World Day of Peace 2016

Christ Hands Outstretched – St. Pius X
(c) John M. Kingery 2015 All Rights Reserved

When Jesus was being arrested in the garden, what did He say?  Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” Matthew 26:52

Contact your elected officials, religious leaders to provide leadership.  Talk to family, friends and neighbor about heeding the call to put the swords (guns) away.  We need common sense responses, not fear and hate driven stockpiling of arms!

Peace,

John Kingery

Wear A Black Tie
(c) John M. Kingery
All Rights Reserved

They came to dance and have fun.

Life cut short from the barrel of a gun.

Why did they have to die?

Their mothers, fathers, family and friends cry.

God looks down, “What have you done?”

These and you are all my creation.

See the dove, we must replace our hate

With love before it is too late.

To honor those who die,

This Tuesday wear a black tie.

John M. Kingery