Resource for Community Reflection/Discussion on

 “How Do Marianists Do Social Justice?”

By Kevin Fitzpatrick

Marianists often have a sense that they are living social justice, but have a hard time articulating it. One Marianist couple I know got into a rather light argument about whether they would refer to themselves as activists or not, she claiming they were activists, and he not being so sure about it. This anecdote seems to capture some of the ambiguity many Marianists may feel about being activists for social justice.

There are a couple approaches to using this resource in your community. The group could look at ways that you are practicing social justice, but simply hadn’t realized it. The group could also look at its charitable work to see how you could also organize to advocate for the suffering people whom you serve. Either way it is important to have this conversation since justice is at the center of the mission of the Catholic Church.

Discussion Questions

The article speaks of the Kingdom of God. Jesus said, “The Kingdom of God is among you.” (referring to the present, not some abstract, other-worldly future).  How would you describe the Kingdom of God?

The article mentions that we have a tendency to accept and perhaps publicly recognize those who do charitable works, but castigate those who call for justice. Why do you think this is so?

The term “common good” is mentioned several times in the article. What do you think the common good looks like in day-to-day living?

Saying Yes

When was a time you or your community said “Yes!” to a call, particularly a call that may not have been clearly defined or that had unexpected implications?

Building Community

A brother who had difficulty with the expression “building community”  felt true communities were not “built,” or as he saw it, artificially concocted, but rather grew out of natural, organic, or free-flowing situations. Do you would agree or disagree with this brother’s assessment of “building community”?

Living Simply

What does “Live Simply so that Others May Simply Live” mean to you and your community?

Hospitality

Marianist hospitality is rooted in the hospitality code of ancient Palestine: a failure to offer hospitality to wayfarers could mean these travelers might die in the desert without the support of local hospitality. Abraham believed in this so strongly that he offered a runaway slave hospitality. When the “owners” came looking for the slave, Abraham purchased the slave’s freedom at an extraordinary cost. How would this life or death understanding of hospitality translate into contemporary times?

Joining Voices with the Voiceless

Describe a time when you listened to someone who was otherwise voiceless and perhaps advocated for them. What success and/or obstacles did you encounter?

Interdependence

How is Isabella Moyer’s image of a table a model for living justice as Marianists?

Passion for the Mission

The article states, “We are called to a personal solidarity with victims of social justice for whom we are advocates.” What does that solidarity look like?

Prayer

Sing (or listen to on CD) the song “Voices that Challenge”

Pray: Our good and loving God, you taught Abraham to trust in hospitality, and led the prophets to be voices of justice despite opposition from all sides.  Jesus showed great compassion for those in need, and rebuked his disciples in their calls for vengeance.  Help us to see the widow, the orphan, and the alien in our midst. Help us to join in the spirit of collaboration that we may see you in the oppressed and seek ways to bring about a just world, a world that reflects the Kingdom of God. We ask this through Christ our Lord . . . Amen!

Read Luke 6: 20-28

Shared reflections

Closing: Mary’s Magnificat—either sung or said together.  Recommendation: David Kauffman’s “Let it Be Done to Us” from the Music for Small Communities, track 11 on Disc 2.