Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time [C], June 13, 2010

Readings:
2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13
Galatians 2:16, 19-21
Luke 7:36—8:3 or 7:36-50

Calendar:
June 12: World Day Against Child Labor
 http://www.ilo.org/ipec/Campaignandadvocacy/WDACL/lang--en/index.htm
June 17: World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
June 19: Juneteenth http://www.juneteenth.com/
June 20: Father’s Day in the USA
June 20: World Refugee Dayhttp://www.un.org/depts/dhl/refugee/
June 21: Start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere
    
Quotes:

History will judge societies and governments - and their institutions - not by how big they are or how well they serve the rich and the powerful, but by how effectively they respond to the needs of the poor and the helpless.
--Cesar Chavez

Among the actions and attitudes opposed to God's will two are very typical: greed and the thirst for power. Not only individuals sin in that way; so do nations and world-blocs. That is why we spoke of "structures of sin,"
--On Social Concerns (Donders), 37

The liturgy, which we preside over and which is the heart of the Church's life, can greatly serve education for justice.  ... The liturgy of the word, catechesis, and the celebration of the sacraments have the power to help us to discover the teaching of the prophets, the Lord and the Apostles on the subject of justice. The preparation for baptism is the beginning of the formation of the Christian conscience. The practice of penance should emphasize the social dimension of sin and of the sacrament. Finally, the Eucharist forms the community and places it at the service of people.
--1971 Synod of Bishops, Justice in the World, 58

As a Church, we must be people after God's own heart, bonded by the Spirit, sustaining one another in love, setting our hearts on God's kingdom, committing ourselves to solidarity with those who suffer, working for peace and justice, acting as a sign of Christ's love and justice in the world.
--US Bishops, Economic Justice for All, 24

Thoughts for your consideration:

David was given so much wealth and power, and so many blessings.
He craves more and ends up killing Uriah so he can have his wife.
In the first reading, God condemns David’s sin but, after David repents,
God forgives him for his unjust actions.

In the gospel Jesus does not pretend that the woman who comes to him is sinless, however,
Jesus is able to see “her great love” and he forgives her.

The scriptures are about “mercy and compassion.” 
God shows us “mercy and compassion.”
We are called to do the same.

“Mercy and compassion” is a response to sins committed, but also a way of responding to others in all kinds of situations.

How do we put “mercy and compassion” into public policy?
How do we show “mercy and compassion” to those most in need?
To immigrants? To refugees? To the poor? To those in prison?
To those who have recently left prison?  To those who have no political power?
To those without medical insurance?  To the homeless? To those addicted to drugs?
To the elderly?  To the very young?
[I don’t want to imply that those in need are in any way in need because of sin. 
Rather, I want to challenge us to act with “mercy and compassion” to all in need, even if we cannot judge why.]

How do we condemn injustice like God condemned David’s sin?
How do we challenge unjust public policies?
How do we challenge the media who idolize wealth and possessions?
How do we challenge trade policies that take advantage of developing nations?
How do we challenge corporations that exploit the environment for greater profits?
How do we challenge governments who use torture and violence against their people?
How do we challenge those who build their foreign policy around military power?
[I don’t want to imply that we should not have “mercy and compassion” to those who make mistakes.
Rather, I want to challenge us to be award of how greedy human actions lead us to do what is wrong.]

Questions for Reflection in your Faith Sharing Group:

• What public policies seem to you to cry out for “mercy and compassion?”

Actions - Links:

June is Torture Awareness Month

The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) “is a membership organization committed to ending U.S.-sponsored and U.S.-enabled torture, and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.”  http://www.nrcat.org  “On June 7, 2010, Physicians for Human Rights unveiled a report detailing the alleged involvement of U.S. military and intelligence health professionals in experiments utilizing “enhanced interrogation techniques” on detainees captured after 9/11.”  You can join NRCAT in asking for a commission of inquiry about these practices. 

The Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International (TASSC) was founded by and for torture survivors.  “The mission of TASSC is to end the practice of torture wherever it occurs and to empower survivors, their families and communities wherever they are.”  Their web site is at http://www.tassc.org 

Prayers of Intercession:

Response: God of compassion, hear our prayer.
For those who are immigrants to our country, we pray….
For refugees throughout the world who long for freedom and safety, we pray….
For all those in prison and for those who have recently been released, we pray….
For all those who have been victimized by torture, we pray….
For all those who live in places of war and terrorism, we pray….
For those who are unemployed or underemployed or underpaid, we pray….
For all those with wealth and power, that they may have the freedom to use their gifts for what is right and good, we pray….

Prayers:

Various prayers for peace, including the one below, can be found at the site of the Jesuit Social Justice Centre of Sydney, Australia.  http://www.uniya.org.au/education/peace_prayers.html
One such prayer is below:

Muslim, Jewish, Christian Prayer for Peace

O God, you are the source of life and peace.
Praised be your name forever.
We know it is you who turn our minds to thoughts of peace.
Hear our prayer in this time of talk of war.
Your power changes hearts.
Muslims, Jews and Christians remember, and profoundly affirm,
That they are followers of the one God,
Children of Abraham, brothers and sisters together.
Enemies begin to speak to one another;
Those who are estranged join hands in friendship;
Nations seek the way of peace together.
Strengthen our resolve to give witness to these truths by the way we life.
Give to us:

    Understanding that puts an end to strife;
    Mercy that quenches hatred,
    And Forgiveness that overcomes vengeance.

Empower all people to live in your law of love.
Amen.

 
Various worship resources to respond to the scandal of torture can be found at the web site of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture at http://www.nrcat.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=49
Below is a prayer found at:
http://www.nrcat.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=332 

Prayer to Mark Torture Awareness Month

God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, we give thanks for your abiding presence with our ancestors and pray for your continued guidance to us, to all your children, and indeed to all your glorious creation.

Help us, gracious God, to act faithfully upon this truth: each human being is made in your image, sisters and brothers to one another.

Help us, gracious God, to teach our children and grandchildren to live together in peace and without fear. May they, like we, be passionate and persistent in ensuring that all forms of torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment are prohibited by law, and that our nation consistently upholds its deepest values.

We confess, gracious God, that we as a nation have permitted the practice of torture. Give us the courage to investigate our nation’s use of torture, to understand our own complicity and to seek healing for both the tortured and the torturer.

We pray, O God, in the hope that the integrity of our nation and its stature in the commonwealth of nations will be restored. We pledge ourselves this day to work without ceasing for the establishment of an independent, nonpartisan Commission of Inquiry to understand the causes, nature and scope of U.S.-sponsored torture. May such an inquiry help to prevent the use of torture in the future.

O Merciful God, may healing overcome brokenness, hope overcome fear, and action overcome despair. Lead us in your way of truth and justice.

And let us say, Amen.

--Lectionary Reflection by Fr. John Bucki, S.J.