Observe What is Right  

The first reading for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time tells us to "observe what is right and do what is just" (Is 56:1). In light of the recent budget discussions, we as a nation, as Christians and as children of God should ask ourselves: Are we "observing what is right and doing what is just"? Does the current federal budget reveal God's justice? When we as a nation make moral decisions, such as to fund weapons over feeding the hungry, and give tax breaks to the wealthy over taking care of the sick, are we observing what is right and doing what is just? St. Francis taught us that we are all brothers and sisters and children of God. This equality requires that all be treated with dignity, justice and out of love.

The first reading ends with the clause: "for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples" (Is 56: 7). We hear God proclaim, "The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD... them I will bring to my holy mountain" (Is 56:6-7). This theme of welcoming all people continues throughout the second reading. In Romans we hear, "For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all" (11: 32).  

These readings challenge us to reflect on how as individuals, as a community and as a nation we treat the stranger, the foreigner, and the immigrant. Do we do what is right and what is just? Is our community, our nation "a house of prayer for all people"? In the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare, do we welcome the stranger as a brother and sister and a unique gift from God? Do we consider the strangers, the immigrants to be blessings or problems? I am often reminded of a saying I heard when I was a child: "We are all immigrants and visitors on this earth. This is God's land. If we want God to welcome us into his home, we'd better welcome the strangers into our home."

The Executive Branch is considering whether to approve Keystone XL, a proposed pipeline from tar sands oil extraction in Alberta, Canada to refineries in Texas. FAN members and other concerned citizens will gather before the White House from August 20 to September 3 in peaceful opposition to the pipeline. On August 29 in particular, FAN members will participate in an interfaith witness. You can sign up to participate on the Tar Sands Action website. If you sign up for the interfaith witness, please also email Rose Berger to ensure that you receive information related to that event.  

The following resources provide further information about the tar sands:  

- Four-page fact sheet   

- January 2009 pastoral letter from Bishop Luc Bouchard of the St. Paul Diocese, located in the tar sands area  

- If you cannot participate in person, you can sign a petition online  

Building Relationships for Justice

From July 26-27, FAN hosted its "Effective Action for Justice and Peace in the Spirits of Sts. Francis and Clare" training in Milwaukee, Wisc. Twenty participants joined FAN staff for engaging sessions on centering prayer, relational organizing and building power. Groups from Chicago, Milwuakee and Michigan met to plan their action in support of the DREAM Act.

FAN Board President Sr. Margaret Mary Kimmins, OSF and Franciscans International (FI) Executive Director Sr. Denise Boyle, FMM shared developments in the collaborative relationship between FAN and FI with fellow participants prior to the official signing (see photo at right) of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organizations during the Franciscan Federation annual conference later in the week.

View photos from the Milwaukee events on FAN's Flickr page

Almighty God, ever-loving Father,  

your care extends beyond the boundaries of race and nation  

to the hearts of all who live.  

May the walls, which prejudice raises between us,  

crumble beneath the shadow of your outstretched arm.  

We ask this thorugh Christ our Lord. Amen.  

[Alternative Opening Prayer for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time]