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?
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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?
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Our partners at Newtown Action Alliance and other gun violence prevention organizations will once again be honoring all victims of gun violence this...
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Voting rights and elections are under attack across the nation. Hundreds of voter suppression bills targeting voters of color are moving through...
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In the mid to late 19th century, several denominations of the Christian Church collaborated with the government in adopting an Indian Boarding...
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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.
Virtual 9th Annual National Vigil for Victims of Gun Violence
Our partners at Newtown Action Alliance and other gun violence prevention organizations will once again be honoring all victims of gun violence this...
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Recently in Rome, the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development launched the much awaited enrollment phase of the Laudato Si’...
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Voting rights and elections are under attack across the nation. Hundreds of voter suppression bills targeting voters of color are moving through...
Introduced: Commission Seeking Truth and Healing on Indian Boarding School Policies
In the mid to late 19th century, several denominations of the Christian Church collaborated with the government in adopting an Indian Boarding...
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On October 16-17, 2021 the Soul Box Project opened an exhibit titled "This Loss We Carry" on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., providing a...
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As Franciscans and as Christians, our faith teaches us that we must recognize in each person the essential humanity and inherent dignity given by...
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As President Biden and world leaders prepare to travel to Glasgow, Scotland for the Conference of Parties (COP), two dozen clergy and faith leaders...
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?
Virtual 9th Annual National Vigil for Victims of Gun Violence
Our partners at Newtown Action Alliance and other gun violence prevention organizations will once again be honoring all victims of gun violence this...
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Immediate Release November 3, 2021 Washington, D.C. - Today, Senate Republicans have blocked the possibility of a public floor debate on the John...
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Voting rights and elections are under attack across the nation. Hundreds of voter suppression bills targeting voters of color are moving through...
Introduced: Commission Seeking Truth and Healing on Indian Boarding School Policies
In the mid to late 19th century, several denominations of the Christian Church collaborated with the government in adopting an Indian Boarding...
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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?
Virtual 9th Annual National Vigil for Victims of Gun Violence
Our partners at Newtown Action Alliance and other gun violence prevention organizations will once again be honoring all victims of gun violence this...
Join in the Laudato Si’ Action Platform
Recently in Rome, the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development launched the much awaited enrollment phase of the Laudato Si’...
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Please join Franciscan Action Network on Tuesday, November 16 at 1:00pm ET (10am PT, 7pm Rome) for “Franciscan Climate Advocacy After COP26,” a...
Franciscans React to Lack of Cooperation on John Lewis VRAA Vote
Immediate Release November 3, 2021 Washington, D.C. - Today, Senate Republicans have blocked the possibility of a public floor debate on the John...
Join us for a Webinar: “Democracy at Stake”
Voting rights and elections are under attack across the nation. Hundreds of voter suppression bills targeting voters of color are moving through...
Introduced: Commission Seeking Truth and Healing on Indian Boarding School Policies
In the mid to late 19th century, several denominations of the Christian Church collaborated with the government in adopting an Indian Boarding...
Soul Box Project Comes to Washington, D.C.
On October 16-17, 2021 the Soul Box Project opened an exhibit titled "This Loss We Carry" on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., providing a...
FAN Signs on to Faith Letter Urging Priority for Affordable Housing
As Franciscans and as Christians, our faith teaches us that we must recognize in each person the essential humanity and inherent dignity given by...
Franciscans Attend Faiths4Climate Justice and Look Toward COP26
As President Biden and world leaders prepare to travel to Glasgow, Scotland for the Conference of Parties (COP), two dozen clergy and faith leaders...
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?
Virtual 9th Annual National Vigil for Victims of Gun Violence
Our partners at Newtown Action Alliance and other gun violence prevention organizations will once again be honoring all victims of gun violence this...
Join in the Laudato Si’ Action Platform
Recently in Rome, the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development launched the much awaited enrollment phase of the Laudato Si’...
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Please join Franciscan Action Network on Tuesday, November 16 at 1:00pm ET (10am PT, 7pm Rome) for “Franciscan Climate Advocacy After COP26,” a...
Franciscans React to Lack of Cooperation on John Lewis VRAA Vote
Immediate Release November 3, 2021 Washington, D.C. - Today, Senate Republicans have blocked the possibility of a public floor debate on the John...
Join us for a Webinar: “Democracy at Stake”
Voting rights and elections are under attack across the nation. Hundreds of voter suppression bills targeting voters of color are moving through...
Introduced: Commission Seeking Truth and Healing on Indian Boarding School Policies
In the mid to late 19th century, several denominations of the Christian Church collaborated with the government in adopting an Indian Boarding...
Soul Box Project Comes to Washington, D.C.
On October 16-17, 2021 the Soul Box Project opened an exhibit titled "This Loss We Carry" on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., providing a...
FAN Signs on to Faith Letter Urging Priority for Affordable Housing
As Franciscans and as Christians, our faith teaches us that we must recognize in each person the essential humanity and inherent dignity given by...
Franciscans Attend Faiths4Climate Justice and Look Toward COP26
As President Biden and world leaders prepare to travel to Glasgow, Scotland for the Conference of Parties (COP), two dozen clergy and faith leaders...
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?
Virtual 9th Annual National Vigil for Victims of Gun Violence
Our partners at Newtown Action Alliance and other gun violence prevention organizations will once again be honoring all victims of gun violence this...
Join in the Laudato Si’ Action Platform
Recently in Rome, the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development launched the much awaited enrollment phase of the Laudato Si’...
Franciscan Climate Advocacy After COP26
Please join Franciscan Action Network on Tuesday, November 16 at 1:00pm ET (10am PT, 7pm Rome) for “Franciscan Climate Advocacy After COP26,” a...
Franciscans React to Lack of Cooperation on John Lewis VRAA Vote
Immediate Release November 3, 2021 Washington, D.C. - Today, Senate Republicans have blocked the possibility of a public floor debate on the John...
Join us for a Webinar: “Democracy at Stake”
Voting rights and elections are under attack across the nation. Hundreds of voter suppression bills targeting voters of color are moving through...
Introduced: Commission Seeking Truth and Healing on Indian Boarding School Policies
In the mid to late 19th century, several denominations of the Christian Church collaborated with the government in adopting an Indian Boarding...
Soul Box Project Comes to Washington, D.C.
On October 16-17, 2021 the Soul Box Project opened an exhibit titled "This Loss We Carry" on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., providing a...
FAN Signs on to Faith Letter Urging Priority for Affordable Housing
As Franciscans and as Christians, our faith teaches us that we must recognize in each person the essential humanity and inherent dignity given by...
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As President Biden and world leaders prepare to travel to Glasgow, Scotland for the Conference of Parties (COP), two dozen clergy and faith leaders...