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?
Confronting Environmental Racism: Houston, Texas
In the fall of 2022, Franciscan Action Network, the Franciscan Federation and the Franciscan Friars (OFM) US-6 JPIC Working Group offered a 4-part...
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St. Clare – An Example to Follow
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Plan Now to Celebrate the Season of Creation
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Heal Not Harm, Restore Asylum Now
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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?
Confronting Environmental Racism: Houston, Texas
In the fall of 2022, Franciscan Action Network, the Franciscan Federation and the Franciscan Friars (OFM) US-6 JPIC Working Group offered a 4-part...
Shemá: Biodiversity, Franciscans, and the Season of Creation: for a present that has a future
On September 3, the General Office of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor in Rome hosted a virtual...
2022 Annual Gala Benefit
Please join the Franciscan Action Network for our annual gala on the evening of Thursday, October 6. Our theme will be “Peacebuilding in the Spirit...
Confronting Environmental Racism
From plastics to cosmetics, fashion, fertilizer, and more, petrochemicals are everywhere in our daily lives, seeping into our air, water, soil,...
St. Clare – An Example to Follow
St. Clare is known for her profound spirituality, life of prayer, and tender care for her sisters. She also engaged in the world in ways that were...
Plan Now to Celebrate the Season of Creation
Each year from September 1 to October 4, the Christian family unites for a worldwide celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. As...
Heal Not Harm, Restore Asylum Now
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) is co-hosting two weeks of call-in days to urge our elected officials to "Heal Not Harm" and terminate...
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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.
Confronting Environmental Racism: Houston, Texas
In the fall of 2022, Franciscan Action Network, the Franciscan Federation and the Franciscan Friars (OFM) US-6 JPIC Working Group offered a 4-part...
Shemá: Biodiversity, Franciscans, and the Season of Creation: for a present that has a future
On September 3, the General Office of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor in Rome hosted a virtual...
2022 Annual Gala Benefit
Please join the Franciscan Action Network for our annual gala on the evening of Thursday, October 6. Our theme will be “Peacebuilding in the Spirit...
Confronting Environmental Racism
From plastics to cosmetics, fashion, fertilizer, and more, petrochemicals are everywhere in our daily lives, seeping into our air, water, soil,...
St. Clare – An Example to Follow
St. Clare is known for her profound spirituality, life of prayer, and tender care for her sisters. She also engaged in the world in ways that were...
Plan Now to Celebrate the Season of Creation
Each year from September 1 to October 4, the Christian family unites for a worldwide celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. As...
Heal Not Harm, Restore Asylum Now
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) is co-hosting two weeks of call-in days to urge our elected officials to "Heal Not Harm" and terminate...
PRESS RELEASE: Franciscan Action Network Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Roe v. Wade
June 27, 2022 Franciscan Action Network Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Roe v. Wade Washington, D.C. - As Franciscans and Franciscan-hearted...
PRESS RELEASE: Franciscan Action Network Welcomes the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
Immediate Release June 24, 2022 Franciscan Action Network Welcomes the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Washington, D.C. - Franciscan Action Network...
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?
Confronting Environmental Racism: Houston, Texas
In the fall of 2022, Franciscan Action Network, the Franciscan Federation and the Franciscan Friars (OFM) US-6 JPIC Working Group offered a 4-part...
Shemá: Biodiversity, Franciscans, and the Season of Creation: for a present that has a future
On September 3, the General Office of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor in Rome hosted a virtual...
2022 Annual Gala Benefit
Please join the Franciscan Action Network for our annual gala on the evening of Thursday, October 6. Our theme will be “Peacebuilding in the Spirit...
Confronting Environmental Racism
From plastics to cosmetics, fashion, fertilizer, and more, petrochemicals are everywhere in our daily lives, seeping into our air, water, soil,...
St. Clare – An Example to Follow
St. Clare is known for her profound spirituality, life of prayer, and tender care for her sisters. She also engaged in the world in ways that were...
Plan Now to Celebrate the Season of Creation
Each year from September 1 to October 4, the Christian family unites for a worldwide celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. As...
Heal Not Harm, Restore Asylum Now
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) is co-hosting two weeks of call-in days to urge our elected officials to "Heal Not Harm" and terminate...
PRESS RELEASE: Franciscan Action Network Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Roe v. Wade
June 27, 2022 Franciscan Action Network Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Roe v. Wade Washington, D.C. - As Franciscans and Franciscan-hearted...
PRESS RELEASE: Franciscan Action Network Welcomes the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
Immediate Release June 24, 2022 Franciscan Action Network Welcomes the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Washington, D.C. - Franciscan Action Network...
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?
Confronting Environmental Racism: Houston, Texas
In the fall of 2022, Franciscan Action Network, the Franciscan Federation and the Franciscan Friars (OFM) US-6 JPIC Working Group offered a 4-part...
Shemá: Biodiversity, Franciscans, and the Season of Creation: for a present that has a future
On September 3, the General Office of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor in Rome hosted a virtual...
2022 Annual Gala Benefit
Please join the Franciscan Action Network for our annual gala on the evening of Thursday, October 6. Our theme will be “Peacebuilding in the Spirit...
Confronting Environmental Racism
From plastics to cosmetics, fashion, fertilizer, and more, petrochemicals are everywhere in our daily lives, seeping into our air, water, soil,...
St. Clare – An Example to Follow
St. Clare is known for her profound spirituality, life of prayer, and tender care for her sisters. She also engaged in the world in ways that were...
Plan Now to Celebrate the Season of Creation
Each year from September 1 to October 4, the Christian family unites for a worldwide celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. As...
Heal Not Harm, Restore Asylum Now
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) is co-hosting two weeks of call-in days to urge our elected officials to "Heal Not Harm" and terminate...
PRESS RELEASE: Franciscan Action Network Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Roe v. Wade
June 27, 2022 Franciscan Action Network Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Roe v. Wade Washington, D.C. - As Franciscans and Franciscan-hearted...
PRESS RELEASE: Franciscan Action Network Welcomes the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
Immediate Release June 24, 2022 Franciscan Action Network Welcomes the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Washington, D.C. - Franciscan Action Network...
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?
Confronting Environmental Racism: Houston, Texas
In the fall of 2022, Franciscan Action Network, the Franciscan Federation and the Franciscan Friars (OFM) US-6 JPIC Working Group offered a 4-part...
Shemá: Biodiversity, Franciscans, and the Season of Creation: for a present that has a future
On September 3, the General Office of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor in Rome hosted a virtual...
2022 Annual Gala Benefit
Please join the Franciscan Action Network for our annual gala on the evening of Thursday, October 6. Our theme will be “Peacebuilding in the Spirit...
Confronting Environmental Racism
From plastics to cosmetics, fashion, fertilizer, and more, petrochemicals are everywhere in our daily lives, seeping into our air, water, soil,...
St. Clare – An Example to Follow
St. Clare is known for her profound spirituality, life of prayer, and tender care for her sisters. She also engaged in the world in ways that were...
Plan Now to Celebrate the Season of Creation
Each year from September 1 to October 4, the Christian family unites for a worldwide celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. As...
Heal Not Harm, Restore Asylum Now
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) is co-hosting two weeks of call-in days to urge our elected officials to "Heal Not Harm" and terminate...
PRESS RELEASE: Franciscan Action Network Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Roe v. Wade
June 27, 2022 Franciscan Action Network Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Roe v. Wade Washington, D.C. - As Franciscans and Franciscan-hearted...
PRESS RELEASE: Franciscan Action Network Welcomes the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
Immediate Release June 24, 2022 Franciscan Action Network Welcomes the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Washington, D.C. - Franciscan Action Network...
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?
Confronting Environmental Racism: Houston, Texas
In the fall of 2022, Franciscan Action Network, the Franciscan Federation and the Franciscan Friars (OFM) US-6 JPIC Working Group offered a 4-part...
Shemá: Biodiversity, Franciscans, and the Season of Creation: for a present that has a future
On September 3, the General Office of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor in Rome hosted a virtual...
2022 Annual Gala Benefit
Please join the Franciscan Action Network for our annual gala on the evening of Thursday, October 6. Our theme will be “Peacebuilding in the Spirit...
Confronting Environmental Racism
From plastics to cosmetics, fashion, fertilizer, and more, petrochemicals are everywhere in our daily lives, seeping into our air, water, soil,...
St. Clare – An Example to Follow
St. Clare is known for her profound spirituality, life of prayer, and tender care for her sisters. She also engaged in the world in ways that were...
Plan Now to Celebrate the Season of Creation
Each year from September 1 to October 4, the Christian family unites for a worldwide celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. As...
Heal Not Harm, Restore Asylum Now
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) is co-hosting two weeks of call-in days to urge our elected officials to "Heal Not Harm" and terminate...
PRESS RELEASE: Franciscan Action Network Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Roe v. Wade
June 27, 2022 Franciscan Action Network Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Roe v. Wade Washington, D.C. - As Franciscans and Franciscan-hearted...
PRESS RELEASE: Franciscan Action Network Welcomes the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
Immediate Release June 24, 2022 Franciscan Action Network Welcomes the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Washington, D.C. - Franciscan Action Network...