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God's Foolishness
 In response to the Gospel for the Third Sunday in Lent my first inclination, in order to justify my own angry outbursts, is to focus on the anger of Jesus who drives the merchants and money changers from the temple. However, the temple cleansing, while important, is only part of the Gospel passage and, when read in relation to the First Letter to the Corinthians, is placed in a larger context: Christ crucified is the wisdom of "the foolishness of God" (1 Cor 1:25). First, can I use the anger of Jesus to justify my own? It depends, doesn't it? Anger, after all, is named as one of the capital sins. Yet here is the compassionate Jesus taking a whip to clear the temple of commerce: "Stop making my Father's house a marketplace" (Jn 2:16). During his public ministry Jesus is criticized, slandered and denounced, and is finally betrayed, arrested and tortured; yet, he never responds with anger when attacks are directed against him. Why now? Because his Father's house of prayer is desecrated by business affairs and money. Does this justify my own angry moments whether petty, as when a driver cuts in front of me on the road, or more serious when someone misrepresents me or totally disagrees with my point of view? Probably not. When my anger is self-righteous and self-serving, it is not justified. My anger can be just when it is directed outward to the desecration of God's "temple" of Earth; for example, to systemic injustice which keeps people in poverty, abuse of human rights, violation of God's Creation. Even then, my anger needs to be channeled into positive action. After the temple-cleansing, in response to the demand for a sign to justify his actions, Jesus refers to the temple of his body which will be destroyed and will rise again. In the First Letter to the Corinthians, the preaching of Christ crucified is described as "the foolishness of God" which is wiser than human wisdom. None of us likes to be seen as foolish, yet Jesus was and the saints were. Perhaps the most foolish saint was Francis of Assisi who even stripped naked in the public square. In his deep humility, Francis made himself a fool for God. Have I ever been a fool for God? Perhaps during Lent I can risk a word or action that seems foolish in the eyes of the world, but in God's eyes is wiser than human wisdom. Sr. Marie Lucey, OSF FAN Director of Advocacy and Member Relations
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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 third portion of Br. Jeff's collage focuses on an oppressive throne which "represents the source of division through domination over others, both humans and the rest of creation."
Symbols on the right side of the throne represent greed and idolatry in today's culture, and sybmols on the left of the throne represent malice, violence, and unjust war against one's neighbor.
READ MORE of Br. Jeff's explanation 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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Statement on "Radical Environmental Theology"
"Presidential candidate Rick Santorum's comments about "phony theology" related to the earth and responses in the media prompted FAN Executive Director Patrick Carolan to reflect on the role of moral values in public life. Read Patrick's statement on the Church's teachings and insights of the Franciscan tradition in relation to the earth."
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If you missed FAN's webinar on:
"Understanding Compassion: A 50-State Immigration Initiative,"
you can view and listen to the recording online.
The slides for the presentation are also available online.
The webinar referenced California's "Trust Act," proposed Jan. 28, as an example of positive state-level legislation. San Francisco's Archbishop George Niederauer spoke in support of the Trust Act. Further information about the proposed legislation is available through the National Day Laborers Organization.
The webinar also featured the policy of "prosecutorial discretion," which allows law enforcement officials to focus on high priority offenders for deportation. NETWORK highlighted a Jan. 19 report with results from pilot programs of this policy in Baltimore and Denver.
"Eucharist Without Borders", an April 11-13 immigration conference, sponsored by Celebration Publications, affiliated with the National Catholic Reporter. "Eucharist without Borders" will take place just south of Tucson, AZ.
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"Leaping into Public View: Training in Media Strategy"
A recording of FAN's "Leaping into Public View: Training in Media Strategy" webinar is available, as are the presentation slides.
Presenters reviewed how to engage the news media effectively, using upcoming FAN press events on money in politics as an example. Topics included messaging, communicating with reporters, and writing press releases.
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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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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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O God, author of every mercy and of all goodness,
who in fasting, prayer and almsgiving
have shown us a remedy for sin,
look graciously on this confession of our lowliness,
that we, who are bowed down by our conscience,
may always be lifted up by your mercy.
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 Third 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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