In the name of mercy
During the last 10 days, we've been confronted with three events that touch on important human and Marianist values and that challenge us deeply.
The first is the mass shooting in Orlando that killed 49 people and left many others wounded and bereaved. Regardless of the complex motivations involved, it was the LGBT community that was specifically targeted. Sadly, some of the political response has been to blame Muslims and refugees. The shooter was an American citizen and was born such. Yet two communities are vilified.
This past week, we marked one year since the deadly shooting at Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston. Nine African-American Christians were killed during a prayer service. They were specifically targeted by a man motivated by racial hatred. Another community continues to be vilified.
And, on June 20, we observed "World Refugee Day." The United Nations issued a report that day, indicating that the world now has the largest number of refugees in human history because of poverty, war and persecution. Some 65.3 million people are displaced, either internally or outside of their home countries. That is one out of every 113 human beings on the earth. So many people left rootless.
Do our Catholic faith and our religious witness help us understand and respond to these things?
Pope Francis has called us to live a Year of Mercy; his recent book is titled "God's Name is Mercy." Respect, welcome and inclusivity are in our Marianist DNA. Jesus told us last week in the liturgy that "if you only love those who love you, there is nothing special in that." We must "love the enemy and do good." And we must be as "perfect as our Heavenly Father who lets his rain fall on everyone."
Let us pray for the victims of the Orlando attack, for the members of the LGBT community and our own gay brothers, for followers of Islam, for refugees and migrants, and for racial inclusivity that will enrich us and our country.
May we be merciful as our Father is merciful.
