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?
Week 3. Janine
I can think of a few times when my image of someone has been mutilated when I hear them speaking in a dehumanizing way.
Week 1. Sr. Judith
Communal Discussion by: Margaret Magee, OSF, Helen Roberts, OSF, Kathie Uhler, OSF, Harriet Hamilton, OSF, Claire Bertero, OSF, Gwyen Melhado, OSF, Cindy matthews, OSFJudith Terrameo, OSF, Rosemary Weiss, and Mary Labenthaul
2021 Annual Report
The year 2021 was one of transitions for us at Franciscan Action Network. We welcomed Sr. Louise Lears, SC to lead our climate advocacy and Michele...
Week 2. Mark
Franciscan and someone from the other side (a Republican) the presentation was a typical Franciscan Action Network (FAN) product.
Week 2. Michele
Friends, The March 14 episode of “The Daily,” a New York Times podcast, discusses how the Putin govt has used the accusation that Ukraine is ruled by “Nazis” to convince Russians that the invasion of the country is justified.
Week 2. Gilbert
Given our understanding of Catholic Social Teaching, what is the appropriate role of Secular Franciscans in confronting speech which dehumanizes or demonizes others?
Week 2. Michael
A friend talks about how as we learn and grow, we have this sludge that continues in us where do what we know we should not.
Franciscans Helping Ukrainians
As the world watches the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in horror, many of us are praying, speaking out against war, and also looking for practical...
Week 2. Jean
For sure I have underestimated the power of my own speech!
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?
Week 3. Janine
I can think of a few times when my image of someone has been mutilated when I hear them speaking in a dehumanizing way.
Week 1. Sr. Judith
Communal Discussion by: Margaret Magee, OSF, Helen Roberts, OSF, Kathie Uhler, OSF, Harriet Hamilton, OSF, Claire Bertero, OSF, Gwyen Melhado, OSF, Cindy matthews, OSFJudith Terrameo, OSF, Rosemary Weiss, and Mary Labenthaul
2021 Annual Report
The year 2021 was one of transitions for us at Franciscan Action Network. We welcomed Sr. Louise Lears, SC to lead our climate advocacy and Michele...
Week 2. Mark
Franciscan and someone from the other side (a Republican) the presentation was a typical Franciscan Action Network (FAN) product.
Week 2. Michele
Friends, The March 14 episode of “The Daily,” a New York Times podcast, discusses how the Putin govt has used the accusation that Ukraine is ruled by “Nazis” to convince Russians that the invasion of the country is justified.
Week 2. Gilbert
Given our understanding of Catholic Social Teaching, what is the appropriate role of Secular Franciscans in confronting speech which dehumanizes or demonizes others?
Week 2. Michael
A friend talks about how as we learn and grow, we have this sludge that continues in us where do what we know we should not.
Franciscans Helping Ukrainians
As the world watches the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in horror, many of us are praying, speaking out against war, and also looking for practical...
Week 2. Jean
For sure I have underestimated the power of my own speech!
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.
Week 3. Janine
I can think of a few times when my image of someone has been mutilated when I hear them speaking in a dehumanizing way.
Week 1. Sr. Judith
Communal Discussion by: Margaret Magee, OSF, Helen Roberts, OSF, Kathie Uhler, OSF, Harriet Hamilton, OSF, Claire Bertero, OSF, Gwyen Melhado, OSF, Cindy matthews, OSFJudith Terrameo, OSF, Rosemary Weiss, and Mary Labenthaul
2021 Annual Report
The year 2021 was one of transitions for us at Franciscan Action Network. We welcomed Sr. Louise Lears, SC to lead our climate advocacy and Michele...
Week 2. Mark
Franciscan and someone from the other side (a Republican) the presentation was a typical Franciscan Action Network (FAN) product.
Week 2. Michele
Friends, The March 14 episode of “The Daily,” a New York Times podcast, discusses how the Putin govt has used the accusation that Ukraine is ruled by “Nazis” to convince Russians that the invasion of the country is justified.
Week 2. Gilbert
Given our understanding of Catholic Social Teaching, what is the appropriate role of Secular Franciscans in confronting speech which dehumanizes or demonizes others?
Week 2. Michael
A friend talks about how as we learn and grow, we have this sludge that continues in us where do what we know we should not.
Franciscans Helping Ukrainians
As the world watches the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in horror, many of us are praying, speaking out against war, and also looking for practical...
Week 2. Jean
For sure I have underestimated the power of my own speech!
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?
Week 3. Janine
I can think of a few times when my image of someone has been mutilated when I hear them speaking in a dehumanizing way.
Week 1. Sr. Judith
Communal Discussion by: Margaret Magee, OSF, Helen Roberts, OSF, Kathie Uhler, OSF, Harriet Hamilton, OSF, Claire Bertero, OSF, Gwyen Melhado, OSF, Cindy matthews, OSFJudith Terrameo, OSF, Rosemary Weiss, and Mary Labenthaul
2021 Annual Report
The year 2021 was one of transitions for us at Franciscan Action Network. We welcomed Sr. Louise Lears, SC to lead our climate advocacy and Michele...
Week 2. Mark
Franciscan and someone from the other side (a Republican) the presentation was a typical Franciscan Action Network (FAN) product.
Week 2. Michele
Friends, The March 14 episode of “The Daily,” a New York Times podcast, discusses how the Putin govt has used the accusation that Ukraine is ruled by “Nazis” to convince Russians that the invasion of the country is justified.
Week 2. Gilbert
Given our understanding of Catholic Social Teaching, what is the appropriate role of Secular Franciscans in confronting speech which dehumanizes or demonizes others?
Week 2. Michael
A friend talks about how as we learn and grow, we have this sludge that continues in us where do what we know we should not.
Franciscans Helping Ukrainians
As the world watches the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in horror, many of us are praying, speaking out against war, and also looking for practical...
Week 2. Jean
For sure I have underestimated the power of my own speech!
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?
Week 3. Janine
I can think of a few times when my image of someone has been mutilated when I hear them speaking in a dehumanizing way.
Week 1. Sr. Judith
Communal Discussion by: Margaret Magee, OSF, Helen Roberts, OSF, Kathie Uhler, OSF, Harriet Hamilton, OSF, Claire Bertero, OSF, Gwyen Melhado, OSF, Cindy matthews, OSFJudith Terrameo, OSF, Rosemary Weiss, and Mary Labenthaul
2021 Annual Report
The year 2021 was one of transitions for us at Franciscan Action Network. We welcomed Sr. Louise Lears, SC to lead our climate advocacy and Michele...
Week 2. Mark
Franciscan and someone from the other side (a Republican) the presentation was a typical Franciscan Action Network (FAN) product.
Week 2. Michele
Friends, The March 14 episode of “The Daily,” a New York Times podcast, discusses how the Putin govt has used the accusation that Ukraine is ruled by “Nazis” to convince Russians that the invasion of the country is justified.
Week 2. Gilbert
Given our understanding of Catholic Social Teaching, what is the appropriate role of Secular Franciscans in confronting speech which dehumanizes or demonizes others?
Week 2. Michael
A friend talks about how as we learn and grow, we have this sludge that continues in us where do what we know we should not.
Franciscans Helping Ukrainians
As the world watches the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in horror, many of us are praying, speaking out against war, and also looking for practical...
Week 2. Jean
For sure I have underestimated the power of my own speech!
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?
Week 3. Janine
I can think of a few times when my image of someone has been mutilated when I hear them speaking in a dehumanizing way.
Week 1. Sr. Judith
Communal Discussion by: Margaret Magee, OSF, Helen Roberts, OSF, Kathie Uhler, OSF, Harriet Hamilton, OSF, Claire Bertero, OSF, Gwyen Melhado, OSF, Cindy matthews, OSFJudith Terrameo, OSF, Rosemary Weiss, and Mary Labenthaul
2021 Annual Report
The year 2021 was one of transitions for us at Franciscan Action Network. We welcomed Sr. Louise Lears, SC to lead our climate advocacy and Michele...
Week 2. Mark
Franciscan and someone from the other side (a Republican) the presentation was a typical Franciscan Action Network (FAN) product.
Week 2. Michele
Friends, The March 14 episode of “The Daily,” a New York Times podcast, discusses how the Putin govt has used the accusation that Ukraine is ruled by “Nazis” to convince Russians that the invasion of the country is justified.
Week 2. Gilbert
Given our understanding of Catholic Social Teaching, what is the appropriate role of Secular Franciscans in confronting speech which dehumanizes or demonizes others?
Week 2. Michael
A friend talks about how as we learn and grow, we have this sludge that continues in us where do what we know we should not.
Franciscans Helping Ukrainians
As the world watches the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in horror, many of us are praying, speaking out against war, and also looking for practical...
Week 2. Jean
For sure I have underestimated the power of my own speech!
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?
Week 3. Janine
I can think of a few times when my image of someone has been mutilated when I hear them speaking in a dehumanizing way.
Week 1. Sr. Judith
Communal Discussion by: Margaret Magee, OSF, Helen Roberts, OSF, Kathie Uhler, OSF, Harriet Hamilton, OSF, Claire Bertero, OSF, Gwyen Melhado, OSF, Cindy matthews, OSFJudith Terrameo, OSF, Rosemary Weiss, and Mary Labenthaul
2021 Annual Report
The year 2021 was one of transitions for us at Franciscan Action Network. We welcomed Sr. Louise Lears, SC to lead our climate advocacy and Michele...
Week 2. Mark
Franciscan and someone from the other side (a Republican) the presentation was a typical Franciscan Action Network (FAN) product.
Week 2. Michele
Friends, The March 14 episode of “The Daily,” a New York Times podcast, discusses how the Putin govt has used the accusation that Ukraine is ruled by “Nazis” to convince Russians that the invasion of the country is justified.
Week 2. Gilbert
Given our understanding of Catholic Social Teaching, what is the appropriate role of Secular Franciscans in confronting speech which dehumanizes or demonizes others?
Week 2. Michael
A friend talks about how as we learn and grow, we have this sludge that continues in us where do what we know we should not.
Franciscans Helping Ukrainians
As the world watches the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in horror, many of us are praying, speaking out against war, and also looking for practical...
Week 2. Jean
For sure I have underestimated the power of my own speech!