RE-humanize this Lent
Reflection Questions and ResponsesSee below the reflection responses and feedback from some of our members who attended RE-humanize the Lent. We offer these as a way to open dialogue and thus build relationships, something desperately needed in these troubling times.
Each week’s questions will be posted below the appropriate heading. (Jump to each specific week using the bookmarks in the beige strip below.)
To submit a response, click here.
Week One
What are my initial thoughts about the connection between speech that demonizes others and potential violence as well as polarization? Did anything I heard in the presentations surprise me or make me see the issue in a new light? Might I be called to re-examine my own speech during this sacred season?
FAN Supports Partners Working to End Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is an exploitation of vulnerability and migrants are among the most vulnerable populations. St. Josephine Bakhita (pictured), who...
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The foundation for FAN’s work on Immigration is found in scripture, Catholic Social Teaching, and Franciscan tradition and values. Welcoming the...
Befriending our Impoverished Neighbors & Becoming Blessed
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Recording: Transitioning to a Peace Economy
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Preparing our Hearts to be Peacemakers
Please join the Franciscan Action Network on Thursday, February 29 at 7 pm Eastern (4 pm Pacific) for a Lenten program, “Preparing our Hearts to be...
Week Two
In the Gospel according to Luke (4:1-13), Jesus is tempted by the devil to abuse his power as the Son of God in several ways. As a child of God, can I think of times when I have underestimated or undervalued the power of my speech, thereby causing harm, even if unintentionally? And times when I’ve underestimated the power of my speech to do good?
FAN Supports Partners Working to End Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is an exploitation of vulnerability and migrants are among the most vulnerable populations. St. Josephine Bakhita (pictured), who...
Our work on Immigration and Human Rights
The foundation for FAN’s work on Immigration is found in scripture, Catholic Social Teaching, and Franciscan tradition and values. Welcoming the...
Befriending our Impoverished Neighbors & Becoming Blessed
In 2023 for the first time, Franciscan Action Network held an unconventional benefit; we invited members of our Network to sponsor or buy a ticket...
Recording: Transitioning to a Peace Economy
On Thursday, April 11, 2024, Executive Director Michele Dunne participated in a discussion hosted by Peace Economy Project on the foundational...
Awakening to Environmental Justice – Part 1 & 2
On April 2, 2024 Part 1 of FAN's “Awakening to Environmental Justice” training workshop offered tools to use in researching instances of...
Call the White House to Ask for No More Bombs for Gaza War
Franciscan Action Network joins other faith organizations in urging calls to the White House to ask President Biden to immediately cease delivering...
12 Christian leaders arrested in Senate calling for ceasefire in Gaza
March 21, 2024Immediate Release Contacts: Janine Walsh, Franciscan Action Network, walsh@franciscanaction.orgJudy Coode, Pax Christi USA,...
Dialogue with Palestinian and Israeli Bereaved Families for Peace
Franciscan Action Network hosted a virtual event featuring two speakers from the Holy Land, one Israeli and one Palestinian, who are members of the...
Environmental Justice Webinars: 2023
In 2023, our Working for Environmental Justice campaign focused attention on three regions in our nation – the Permian Basin and Chaco Canyon in New...
Preparing our Hearts to be Peacemakers
Please join the Franciscan Action Network on Thursday, February 29 at 7 pm Eastern (4 pm Pacific) for a Lenten program, “Preparing our Hearts to be...
Week Three
Cardinal Sean O’Malley has quoted Pope Paul VI in saying that dehumanizing discourse, including racism, not only wounds its target but that the speaker is also “mutilated by their selfishness.” In what way might my selfishness–the perceived self-interest that causes me to distance myself from others with whom I am at odds–mutilate me? Has my image of anyone been “mutilated” after I heard that person use dehumanizing or demonizing language about another?
(Sources: See this recent talk by Cardinal O’Malley, as well as this 2007 post.)
Suggested action: Take a walk outside to find signs of the changing season, such as green shoots or blooms on plants springing out of older, dried out growth. Take a photo and use it to remind yourself that you can change–and others can as well.
FAN Supports Partners Working to End Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is an exploitation of vulnerability and migrants are among the most vulnerable populations. St. Josephine Bakhita (pictured), who...
Our work on Immigration and Human Rights
The foundation for FAN’s work on Immigration is found in scripture, Catholic Social Teaching, and Franciscan tradition and values. Welcoming the...
Befriending our Impoverished Neighbors & Becoming Blessed
In 2023 for the first time, Franciscan Action Network held an unconventional benefit; we invited members of our Network to sponsor or buy a ticket...
Recording: Transitioning to a Peace Economy
On Thursday, April 11, 2024, Executive Director Michele Dunne participated in a discussion hosted by Peace Economy Project on the foundational...
Awakening to Environmental Justice – Part 1 & 2
On April 2, 2024 Part 1 of FAN's “Awakening to Environmental Justice” training workshop offered tools to use in researching instances of...
Call the White House to Ask for No More Bombs for Gaza War
Franciscan Action Network joins other faith organizations in urging calls to the White House to ask President Biden to immediately cease delivering...
12 Christian leaders arrested in Senate calling for ceasefire in Gaza
March 21, 2024Immediate Release Contacts: Janine Walsh, Franciscan Action Network, walsh@franciscanaction.orgJudy Coode, Pax Christi USA,...
Dialogue with Palestinian and Israeli Bereaved Families for Peace
Franciscan Action Network hosted a virtual event featuring two speakers from the Holy Land, one Israeli and one Palestinian, who are members of the...
Environmental Justice Webinars: 2023
In 2023, our Working for Environmental Justice campaign focused attention on three regions in our nation – the Permian Basin and Chaco Canyon in New...
Preparing our Hearts to be Peacemakers
Please join the Franciscan Action Network on Thursday, February 29 at 7 pm Eastern (4 pm Pacific) for a Lenten program, “Preparing our Hearts to be...
Week Four
When was the last time you gave yourself the opportunity to have a serious conversation with someone with whom you didn’t agree, thereby allowing yourself to learn and grow? If you have avoided such conversations–or had them and regretted how they went–how could you approach the next one with a re-humanizing lens so as to be more open to growth?
FAN Supports Partners Working to End Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is an exploitation of vulnerability and migrants are among the most vulnerable populations. St. Josephine Bakhita (pictured), who...
Our work on Immigration and Human Rights
The foundation for FAN’s work on Immigration is found in scripture, Catholic Social Teaching, and Franciscan tradition and values. Welcoming the...
Befriending our Impoverished Neighbors & Becoming Blessed
In 2023 for the first time, Franciscan Action Network held an unconventional benefit; we invited members of our Network to sponsor or buy a ticket...
Recording: Transitioning to a Peace Economy
On Thursday, April 11, 2024, Executive Director Michele Dunne participated in a discussion hosted by Peace Economy Project on the foundational...
Awakening to Environmental Justice – Part 1 & 2
On April 2, 2024 Part 1 of FAN's “Awakening to Environmental Justice” training workshop offered tools to use in researching instances of...
Call the White House to Ask for No More Bombs for Gaza War
Franciscan Action Network joins other faith organizations in urging calls to the White House to ask President Biden to immediately cease delivering...
12 Christian leaders arrested in Senate calling for ceasefire in Gaza
March 21, 2024Immediate Release Contacts: Janine Walsh, Franciscan Action Network, walsh@franciscanaction.orgJudy Coode, Pax Christi USA,...
Dialogue with Palestinian and Israeli Bereaved Families for Peace
Franciscan Action Network hosted a virtual event featuring two speakers from the Holy Land, one Israeli and one Palestinian, who are members of the...
Environmental Justice Webinars: 2023
In 2023, our Working for Environmental Justice campaign focused attention on three regions in our nation – the Permian Basin and Chaco Canyon in New...
Preparing our Hearts to be Peacemakers
Please join the Franciscan Action Network on Thursday, February 29 at 7 pm Eastern (4 pm Pacific) for a Lenten program, “Preparing our Hearts to be...
Week Five
While we often think of political violence as involving many people (rioting, insurgency, etc.) or targeting elected officials, it can also involve acts or threats against ordinary citizens. A recent poll of nearly 600 local electoral officials showed that 77% believed that threats to their safety had increased in recent years and 17% had personally experienced threats, which often started with being demonized as “traitors.”
Ask yourself: How can I become more alert to potential violence or threats of violence taking place in my state or community?
FAN Supports Partners Working to End Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is an exploitation of vulnerability and migrants are among the most vulnerable populations. St. Josephine Bakhita (pictured), who...
Our work on Immigration and Human Rights
The foundation for FAN’s work on Immigration is found in scripture, Catholic Social Teaching, and Franciscan tradition and values. Welcoming the...
Befriending our Impoverished Neighbors & Becoming Blessed
In 2023 for the first time, Franciscan Action Network held an unconventional benefit; we invited members of our Network to sponsor or buy a ticket...
Recording: Transitioning to a Peace Economy
On Thursday, April 11, 2024, Executive Director Michele Dunne participated in a discussion hosted by Peace Economy Project on the foundational...
Awakening to Environmental Justice – Part 1 & 2
On April 2, 2024 Part 1 of FAN's “Awakening to Environmental Justice” training workshop offered tools to use in researching instances of...
Call the White House to Ask for No More Bombs for Gaza War
Franciscan Action Network joins other faith organizations in urging calls to the White House to ask President Biden to immediately cease delivering...
12 Christian leaders arrested in Senate calling for ceasefire in Gaza
March 21, 2024Immediate Release Contacts: Janine Walsh, Franciscan Action Network, walsh@franciscanaction.orgJudy Coode, Pax Christi USA,...
Dialogue with Palestinian and Israeli Bereaved Families for Peace
Franciscan Action Network hosted a virtual event featuring two speakers from the Holy Land, one Israeli and one Palestinian, who are members of the...
Environmental Justice Webinars: 2023
In 2023, our Working for Environmental Justice campaign focused attention on three regions in our nation – the Permian Basin and Chaco Canyon in New...
Preparing our Hearts to be Peacemakers
Please join the Franciscan Action Network on Thursday, February 29 at 7 pm Eastern (4 pm Pacific) for a Lenten program, “Preparing our Hearts to be...
Week Six
When have I spoken up for someone else who was dehumanized or demonized for their views? Was it someone with whose views I agreed or disagreed? What words did I use to object to their dehumanization and how did that go?
FAN Supports Partners Working to End Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is an exploitation of vulnerability and migrants are among the most vulnerable populations. St. Josephine Bakhita (pictured), who...
Our work on Immigration and Human Rights
The foundation for FAN’s work on Immigration is found in scripture, Catholic Social Teaching, and Franciscan tradition and values. Welcoming the...
Befriending our Impoverished Neighbors & Becoming Blessed
In 2023 for the first time, Franciscan Action Network held an unconventional benefit; we invited members of our Network to sponsor or buy a ticket...
Recording: Transitioning to a Peace Economy
On Thursday, April 11, 2024, Executive Director Michele Dunne participated in a discussion hosted by Peace Economy Project on the foundational...
Awakening to Environmental Justice – Part 1 & 2
On April 2, 2024 Part 1 of FAN's “Awakening to Environmental Justice” training workshop offered tools to use in researching instances of...
Call the White House to Ask for No More Bombs for Gaza War
Franciscan Action Network joins other faith organizations in urging calls to the White House to ask President Biden to immediately cease delivering...
12 Christian leaders arrested in Senate calling for ceasefire in Gaza
March 21, 2024Immediate Release Contacts: Janine Walsh, Franciscan Action Network, walsh@franciscanaction.orgJudy Coode, Pax Christi USA,...
Dialogue with Palestinian and Israeli Bereaved Families for Peace
Franciscan Action Network hosted a virtual event featuring two speakers from the Holy Land, one Israeli and one Palestinian, who are members of the...
Environmental Justice Webinars: 2023
In 2023, our Working for Environmental Justice campaign focused attention on three regions in our nation – the Permian Basin and Chaco Canyon in New...
Preparing our Hearts to be Peacemakers
Please join the Franciscan Action Network on Thursday, February 29 at 7 pm Eastern (4 pm Pacific) for a Lenten program, “Preparing our Hearts to be...
Week Seven
How has this Lenten process of considering the links among dehumanization, polarization, and political violence changed my way of thinking and/or behaving? What new tools have I acquired to cope with these issues? What’s the best tip I have learned to help me be a RE-humanizer? What new questions do I have?
FAN Supports Partners Working to End Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is an exploitation of vulnerability and migrants are among the most vulnerable populations. St. Josephine Bakhita (pictured), who...
Our work on Immigration and Human Rights
The foundation for FAN’s work on Immigration is found in scripture, Catholic Social Teaching, and Franciscan tradition and values. Welcoming the...
Befriending our Impoverished Neighbors & Becoming Blessed
In 2023 for the first time, Franciscan Action Network held an unconventional benefit; we invited members of our Network to sponsor or buy a ticket...
Recording: Transitioning to a Peace Economy
On Thursday, April 11, 2024, Executive Director Michele Dunne participated in a discussion hosted by Peace Economy Project on the foundational...
Awakening to Environmental Justice – Part 1 & 2
On April 2, 2024 Part 1 of FAN's “Awakening to Environmental Justice” training workshop offered tools to use in researching instances of...
Call the White House to Ask for No More Bombs for Gaza War
Franciscan Action Network joins other faith organizations in urging calls to the White House to ask President Biden to immediately cease delivering...
12 Christian leaders arrested in Senate calling for ceasefire in Gaza
March 21, 2024Immediate Release Contacts: Janine Walsh, Franciscan Action Network, walsh@franciscanaction.orgJudy Coode, Pax Christi USA,...
Dialogue with Palestinian and Israeli Bereaved Families for Peace
Franciscan Action Network hosted a virtual event featuring two speakers from the Holy Land, one Israeli and one Palestinian, who are members of the...
Environmental Justice Webinars: 2023
In 2023, our Working for Environmental Justice campaign focused attention on three regions in our nation – the Permian Basin and Chaco Canyon in New...
Preparing our Hearts to be Peacemakers
Please join the Franciscan Action Network on Thursday, February 29 at 7 pm Eastern (4 pm Pacific) for a Lenten program, “Preparing our Hearts to be...