Page 60 - Catholic Extension Magazine Winter 2019

suffering and excluded. Dr. Martin discrimination, guarantee universal nities and individuals who have
Luther King, Jr. put it well when he access to health care, ensure the been victimized and also center
said, ‘I can never be what I ought to protection of all human life, end the their voices, memories and hopes
be until you are what you ought to scourge of gun violence, improve in discerning the path ahead. In the
be, and you can never be what you wages on both sides of the border, coming months, I commit to engag-
ought to be until I am what I ought offer just and sustainable devel- ing these voices more intentionally
to be’. The same thing is said in the opment opportunities, defend the in hopes that together we can turn
Mayan tradition, ‘In Lak’ech’, tú eres environment and honor the dignity of back the tide of racism in our border
mi otro yo, or ‘you are my other self’. every person. This is how we write a community.
Guadalupe, the Mestiza, teaches us new chapter in our history of solidar-
that our destinies are bound up with ity and friendship that future genera- Our Catholic Community, An Oasis
one another. We must take active tions can remember with pride. This of Justice
steps to defend the human rights of work of undoing racism and building
everyone in our border community a just society is holy, for it ‘contrib- 64. The Catholic Church in El Paso
and their dignity against dehuman- utes to the building of the universal must be on permanent mission, an
ization as we work to forge a new city of God, which is the goal of the ongoing conversion to the Lord, so
humanity. What racism has divided, history of the human family’. It antici- that we might be salt and leaven
with the help of God, we can work pates that day when ‘night will be no in the work of justice in the border-
to restore. more, nor will they need light from lands. Charity and justice must be the
lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall work of each of our parishes, flowing
60. The burden of the history of give them light, and they shall reign from the Word of God, our baptismal
injustice on the border is heavy. We forever and ever.’ commitment and our Communion at
must wrestle deeply with this legacy, the Eucharistic table.
lament over it passionately, confront The Need for New Leadership
our own biases candidly and repu- 65. Our pastors should take care in
diate racism completely. God offers 62. This historical moment also the celebration of Baptism, especially
us the chance to build a new history requires a new kind of leadership to baptisms during the Eucharist on
where racism does not prevail. The which I believe our border commu- Sundays, to allow the profound sym-
‘manifesto’ of hate and exclusion nity can make a real contribution. In bols of the sacrament to shine with
that entered our community can be all fields, Latinos have risen to the clarity. In the purifying waters we cel-
countered with a manifesto of radical heights of power. We should not fear ebrate the radical transformation and
love and inclusion. I want to see an El power. Power has been given to us equality that comes from renewal in
Paso that addresses both the legacy as stewards by our God, who asks Christ. In the anointing with holy oils
of racism and one which builds more of us to be co-creators in bringing we proclaim a reverence for human
just structures to eradicate and about His Reign. But we must learn life without distinction. The strength
overcome that history. A new history the use of power in new, creative and of these symbols should flow into our
of respect for human rights, inclu- grace-filled ways, not reproducing daily parish life and work for justice.
sion and bridge building. The Reign the tactics and methods of domi-
of God is reflected in a community nation and division that belong to 66. Likewise, in our celebration of
that brings together the best of all the oppressor. This will require us to Mass, pastors can lead our people
cultures, where the aspirations of all stand beside the poor as they find to a deeper consciousness of the
find a home and where the needs their voice and to take a supportive weight of communal and historical
of the poor are put first. If we do role in their work for justice. We must sin that we bring to the table of
this, we can make a vitally needed build each other up rather than seek- the Lord in the penitential rite. We
contribution to the nation from our ing to outsmart and outflank; that is should ask ourselves carefully who is
border, here on the edges of empire, not the way of true leadership or of yet not present, and whose cultures
towards turning the page on love. Love is spontaneous, unselfish, are not yet reflected at the banquet
injustice and hate and white full of surprise, life-giving and forgiv- of the Lord that we celebrate at the
supremacy definitively. ing. If we are to move our border- altar. In our preaching and celebra-
lands towards a reconciled commu- tion, we should lead our people to
61. ‘God gave the earth to the whole nity beyond faction and resentment, greater awareness of the connection
human race for the sustenance of all we must commit ourselves to a love between the love of God celebrated
its members, without excluding or which is not merely self-directed, a in our temples, and the love of God
favouring anyone’. We must work to love which we must learn at the feet to be practiced outside their doors,
ensure all our children have access of Jesus of Nazareth. including work to end prejudice and
to quality educational opportunities, discrimination.
eliminate inequality in the colonias, 63. This new type of leadership must
pass immigration reform, eradicate restore agency to those commu-