We cannot indulge in dogmatic imperialism, arrogantly thinking we have all the answers, that everything is nailed down, that we and only we have a direct line to God. But Christian churches are pilgrim churches, Christians are finite creatures. Catholics agree and add that the Magisterium is under certain conditions infallible. Protestants say the the Bible is God's Word and infallible. We need to do our homework, which includes having our religious values interface with the situation we have analyzed. But religious organizations should be subjected to the same standards of loving, rational and consistent presentation of their views as any other participant in the public debate. Churches indeed have the benefit of humanizing and moderating values and can often build bridges instead of walls.

However, church people are citizens churches are legitimate voluntary organizations. Some have argued that the role of the religious right proves that religion and politics should be kept absolutely separate. The reign of God is by its nature social. But if religion is only an escape, or a private matter-if religion does not play an essential role in our everyday lives, what is the purpose of God's special intervention through Revelation, the Incarnation, and Redemption? A private religion is irrelevant, trivial, and a contradiction in terms. Our faith gives us a respite from the troubles of our world, a place of refreshment, light, and peace. Theological reflection means continually going to the riches of Scripture and the values of the churches and allowing God's values to interact with the real world in which we find ourselves.We need to reflect with the Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other. This does not mean searching Scripture for proof texts to support a decision we've already made. Thus the third step in a process toward a peace with justice is theological reflection. I suggest getting in touch with our own experience, enlarging our experience by some kind of contact with the materially poor and the marginalized, organizing our experience through research and social analysis, engaging in theological reflection, practicing spiritual communal and apostolic discernment, making a decision beyond social service for social action according to a definite time-line, evaluating what is happening, and then beginning the cycle again. We also need a way to proceed non-violently toward our vision. As Peter Maurin, the companion of Dorothy Day, said, 'We must create a world in which it is easier to be good.' I see our task with God's help to craft the details of the vision and then work to implement our vision. Each of these structures, of course, would have sub-structures. I think Jesus wants us to develop and live a common ethic, promote an atmosphere of non-violence, a culture of basic human rights, widespread and democratic ownership of capital, and a world democratic federation. I think it's valuable for all of us as individuals, communities, a nation, a world to form a vision of a world more in accord with God's Word. 31-46)Īs citizens of the United States, I think we have positions of responsibility in economic, political,and social life. Matthew lists in the final judgment on love: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and those in prison.' (Mt. Peter must open his arms to protect all of God's people and embrace with tender affection the whole of humanity, especially the poorest, the weakest, the least important, those whom St. All must be inspired by the lowly, concrete, and faithful service which marked St. 'We need to see the light of hope and to be men and women who bring hope to others.' ' I would like to ask all those who have positions of responsibility in economic, political, and social lfe, and all men and women of good will: let us be protectors of creation, protectors of God's plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another, and of the environment.' Francis is the first Jesuit pope He quoted Scripture to say as bishop of Rome, he was endowed with 'a certain power.' 'Let us never forget that authentic power is service.

He urged world leaders to protect human life and the environment and use tenderness to inspire hope. Pope Francis invited us 'to serve the poorest, the weakest, the least important.'. I invite all to reflect on his homily at his installation Mass as the successor of St. Pope Francis I is now the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis says Hope in the Resurrection is more than wishful thinking.

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