July 28, 2024 - "Political Violence continued"

Last week I presented part of a statement by the Most Reverend Borys Gudziak, Archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia and the Chairman, Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development of the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Let me continue where I left off last week.

 

We pray and urge all Christians and people of good will: abstain from political violence of any kind! Instead, “pursue what leads to peace and building up one another” (Rom. 14:19) through dialogue, seeking peace.

 

Pursue Peace

How does one pursue peace? How can there be peace when something is truly unjust? Pursuing peace does not mean ignoring injustice. Society should stop unjust acts. But good intentions still must bear the Holy Spirit’s marks of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control” (Gal. 5:20). Fully giving into anger, however righteous, leads to what is opposed to the Spirit: “hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions” (Gal. 5:20). Nothing lasts that is opposed to the Spirit—whether a political movement or anything else—but what is built with the Spirit is indestructible (see Acts 5:38-39).

 

Through Dialogue

Political dialogue should mirror Christian dialogue by beginning with the God-given human dignity [of] each person.  It is hypocritical for a Christian to “bless the Lord and Father”                                                                                                                                    and then turn around and “curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God” (Jas. 3:9). Dialogue is not about winning arguments; it is not debate. Yes, real dialogue will be hard, but it is essential for finding common ground upon which a solution might be built. It requires openness and vulnerability. Between violence and indifference, persistent and humble dialogue is the necessary path to peace.

 

Seeking Justice

Dialogue around justice means starting with positive proposals to create social change for the common good. God’s justice renders to each person his or her dignity. Education and respectful dialogue around these proposals is necessary for cooperation and agreement, but it will often be a struggle. We need not be troubled when these obstacles arise. Rather, we should always remember that, in the end, “[t]he work of justice will peace” and “the effect of justice [will be] calm and security forever” (Is. 32:17).

 

Conclusion

Let us pray, then, that by turning away from violence, away from anger, away from demeaning others who are made in the image and likeness of God, we may work for peace through dialogue and justice. We pray with trust and thanksgiving that the Lord will bless our country, including our political process, and that “the mercy of our God” will “guide our feet into the path of peace” (Lk. 1:78-79).

 

Until next week,

Fr. John