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Direct Me in Your Ways
 This week we begin our Lenten season. I remember as a child always having to give up something for Lent. On the Sunday before Ash Wednesday my mother would gather us around the kitchen table. We would pray a Rosary and then she would ask each of us what we were going to give up for Lent. I never quite understood what the purpose was. So when it came my turn I would think of something that would require the least amount of sacrifice but sounded impressive. By the time I was 12 I thought the entire idea sounded silly. So that year when my turn came I told my mother that for Lent I was giving up giving up things for Lent. Years later as my faith in God grew I started to reflect on not what I could give up but rather what I could learn from God, where God was leading me.
This Sunday our first reading from Genesis 9:8-15 tells us the story about how God made a Noahic covenant with all living creatures. The covenant is not just between God and man but between God and all of God's wondrous, beautiful creation. This covenant forms a partnership between God, us and all of creation. It is a partnership that requires us to care for all of creation. As we begin our Lenten reflection, let's ask ourselves: "Are we living up to our end of the partnership?" When we allow corporations to pollute our waters so they can increase their profits and we can have cheap oil are we living up to our Noahic covenant with God? When we put corporate profits and greed ahead of protecting the environment are we partners with God or only interested in our own individual needs? In the Gospel from Mark we hear how Jesus went into the desert and "remained ... for forty days, tempted by Satan" (1:12). Mark's Gospel does not mention what the temptation was but in a similar passage from Matthew 4:1-11 we learn that Jesus was tempted with power and money. We know Jesus's response: "The Lord your God shall you worship and him alone shall you serve" (Mt 4:10). Later in Matthew 6:24 we are told, "You cannot serve God and mammon." Jesus tells us you will hate one and love the other or be devoted to one and despise the other. There is an old labor song called "Which Side Are You On?" This Lenten season we can ask ourselves that question. Are we following the path God has taught us, are we going in the direction God is leading, or are worshiping money and power? We should not only ask ourselves that question but we should ask our elected leaders the same question. Are they following the path of God when they propose budgets that will cut out programs to help the poor, the hungry and marginalized not only in this country but all across God's beautiful creation, while corporations receive tax cuts? 1 Peter 3:20 states, "God patiently waited in the days of Noah." Is God still waiting patiently for us to follow in his path while, as we did before the flood and in the desert when we worshiped the golden calf, we still place money before God?
We invite you to join us at FAN in trying to raise awareness about the corruptive influence of money on public policy and how our faith guides us to a path of worshiping God and away from worshiping wealth. This Lent we focus on "Faith in the Cross vs. Faith in the Dollar Sign." May God's peace and love be with each of you during this holy Lenten season. Patrick Carolan Executive Director
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Faith in the Cross vs. Faith in the Dollar Sign
 This Lent, FAN reflects on how the Sunday readings speak to us in the context of concern for the influence of money in politics. In addition to the Lectionary reflection above, each week features an image from a collage by Br. Jeffrey Wilson, TOR.
The first portion of Br. Jeff's collage focuses on an oil-covered lake and buffalo bones.
"The oil-covered lake represents environmental pollution and is particularly inspired by the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon explosion and Gulf of Mexico oil spill. ... Instead of offering God the sweet aroma of the fruits of the Earth, a thick, black, toxic smoke rises into the heavens. ... [D]uring the wars with the Native Americans, the U.S. Army encouraged the wholesale slaughter of the buffalo in order to deprive the Native Americans of their main food source. The violence against the buffalo represented violence against humans as well."
READ MORE of Br. Jeff's explanation, including scriptural references, on FAN's blog.
Find these and other Lenten resources, such as a Care for Creation calendar, on FAN's Lent 2012 webpage.
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WEBINARS GALORE!
Please join us WEDNESDAY! for: "Understanding Compassion: A 50-State Immigration Initiative"
 Wed., Feb. 22, 4-5 p.m. Eastern Time
Register online FAN staff member Sr. Marie Lucey, OSF and FAN Action Commissioner Kent Ferris, OFS host a webinar to share what they learned at a Jan. 11-13 conference on immigration sponsored by the USCCB's Migration and Refugee Services and Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. in Salt Lake City. Sr. Marie, who oversees FAN's immigration work, and Kent, who supervises the Immigration Office for the Diocese of Davenport, will provide current information, review strategies, and answer questions. Please join us as we grow in understanding how Franciscans can bring compassion to the U.S. immigration system. Read FAN member Sr. Dorothy Moczygemba CSSF's reflection on the FAN blog on her experience of the conference. "Leaping into Public View: Training in Media Strategy"  Leap Day! Wed., Feb. 29, 4-5 p.m. Eastern Time
Register online FAN hosts John Gehring for this training on engaging the news media, using upcoming FAN press events on money in politics as the test case. John will examine important topics such as messaging, communicating with reporters and writing press releases. John Gehring serves as Senior Writer and Catholic Outreach Coordinator at Faith in Public Life in Washington, D.C. He previously worked for Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. |
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Is THIS the Fast I Seek?: Economy, Livelihood and Our National Priorities
 Every year, Franciscans join a diverse group of Christians for Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, DC. This year's conference (March 23-26) addresses economic justice in U.S. federal budget priorities.
Join FAN staff, Action Commissioners, and other members for the 10th anniversary of EAD.
If you plan to attend, please contact Patrick (pcarolan@franciscanaction.org) so that we can coordinate a Franciscan gathering during the program.
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Calling Scholars for "A Catholic Consultation on Environmental Justice and Climate Change"
A scholars' conference sponsored by the USCCB, the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change, the Catholic University of America, and CUA's Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies will take place at CUA November 8-10, 2012. The conference will explore the implications of recent papal teaching - particularly that of Pope Benedict XVI - on environmental justice, creation and solidarity. Scholars from across academic disciplines (especially from theology, religious studies, philosophy, and economics, as well as public health, history, biology and other sciences) are encouraged to submit paper proposals.
Paper proposals are due on March 15, 2012. Learn more in this Call for Papers.
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FAN Staff Joins Secular Franciscan Order
 Lonnie Ellis, FAN Director of Organizing and Development, was admitted to the St. Anthony of Nagasaki fraternity of the OFS (Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis, or Secular Franciscans) on Feb. 4. He has been through a year and a half of formation, and now looks to full profession in another year.
Read Lonnie's highlights from the OFS rule on FAN's homepage.
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Creation, Humanity and Science in the Franciscan Intellectual Tradition
Br. Bill Short OFM, Mary Beth Ingham CSJ, and Keith Warner OFM
July 29-Aug. 12, 2012
Old Mission Santa Barbara, California
See FAN website for more information.
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Grant, almighty God,
through the yearly observances of holy Lent,
that we may grow in understanding
of the riches hidden in Christ
and by worhty conduct pursue their effects.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(Prayer for the First Sunday in Lent)
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Mission Statement
Inspired by the Gospel of Jesus, and the example of saints Francis and Clare, the Franciscan Action Network (FAN) is a collective Franciscan voice seeking to transform U.S. public policy related to peacemaking, care for creation, poverty, and human rights. |
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