June 13: Living Justly and Witnessing to Justice

If we trust that it is true that we have a role to play, a mission to accomplish, when it comes to “planting the seeds of justice,” how does that role look in our everyday, very real lives? How can we connect worship on Sunday to work on Monday? How is the Gospel proclaimed not only in the pulpit of our parish, but also in the everyday life of Catholic people here in North Portland? How does the Church gathered on the Sabbath act as the People of God scattered and active every day of the week? How can we best carry the values of our faith into family life, the market place, and the public square? How do we love our neighbor, pursue peace, and seek justice in everyday choices and commitments?

Let’s be reassured that the most important Catholic “witness” to justice is often neither very visible nor highly structured. It is the sacrifice of parents trying to raise children with concern for others; the service and creativity of workers (like nurses, CNA’s, St. Vincent de Paul volunteers, and many others) who do their best and reach out to those in need; the struggle of business owners trying to reconcile the bottom line and the needs of employees and customers; and the hard choices of public officials who seek to protect the weak and pursue the common good.

The Church’s mission with regard to justice is advanced by teachers and scientists, by farmers and bankers, by sales persons and entertainers, by students and those retired. All of us are in this together! (During the coming week, this blog will be devoted to practical ways that we can live justly and promote justice in our everyday lives. As they used to say on television: “stay tuned!”)

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