Bulletin Announcement       Sunday     October 23, 2016             

               FranciscansForJustice.org
 
 
   
Regarding today's Gospel reading, Pope Francis commented:

'Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis for this Holy Year of Mercy, we now turn to the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Jesus contrasts the arrogance and self-righteousness of the Pharisee's prayer with the tax collector's humble recognition of his sinfulness and need for the Lord's mercy. True prayer is born of a heart which repents of its faults and failings, yet pleads for the grace to live the great commandment of love of God and neighbor. Indeed, the proud disdain of the Pharisee for the sinner at his side prevents him from being righteous in God's sight. To pray well, then, we need to look into our own hearts and there, in humble silence, let the Lord speak to us. The honesty and humility which God asks of us is the necessary condition for our receiving his mercy.'                                 [ General Audience, June 1, 2016]

And this brief reflection while you consider the climate of our upcoming elections:

'The structures of our society are subtly racist, for these structures reflect the values which society upholds. They are geared to the success of the majority and the failure of the minority.

'Members of both groups give unwitting approval by accepting things as they are. Perhaps no single individual is to blame. The sinfulness is often anonymous but nonetheless real.

'The sin is social in nature in that each of us, in varying degrees, is responsible. All of us in some measure are accomplices.'
                                          [US Bishops,   Brothers and Sisters to Us, 1979: 13]
 


 
 
 

 

 



                                 
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