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?
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
On February 29, 2024 the Franciscan Action Network hosted a Lenten program, “Preparing our Hearts to be Peacemakers.” Our speakers included renowned...
Christians for Ceasefire Campaign
A broad coalition of national and local Christian organizations and nonviolent peacemakers have envisioned a Ceasefire Campaign rooted in the...
Christian leaders take public action in call for ceasefire, humanitarian aid to Gaza
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 14, 2024 Christian leaders take public action in call for ceasefire, humanitarian aid to Gaza Washington, DC – On...
Ceasefire Ash Wednesday Mass
On February 14, 2024, Christians for Ceasefire held an Ash Wednesday Catholic Mass and Public Witness for Peace in the Holy Land at the White House...
Franciscans Say NO to Senate Supplemental Funding Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 5, 2024 Franciscans Say NO to Senate Supplemental Funding Bill Washington, D.C. - “Franciscan Action Network (FAN)...
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?
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
On February 29, 2024 the Franciscan Action Network hosted a Lenten program, “Preparing our Hearts to be Peacemakers.” Our speakers included renowned...
Christians for Ceasefire Campaign
A broad coalition of national and local Christian organizations and nonviolent peacemakers have envisioned a Ceasefire Campaign rooted in the...
Christian leaders take public action in call for ceasefire, humanitarian aid to Gaza
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 14, 2024 Christian leaders take public action in call for ceasefire, humanitarian aid to Gaza Washington, DC – On...
Ceasefire Ash Wednesday Mass
On February 14, 2024, Christians for Ceasefire held an Ash Wednesday Catholic Mass and Public Witness for Peace in the Holy Land at the White House...
Franciscans Say NO to Senate Supplemental Funding Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 5, 2024 Franciscans Say NO to Senate Supplemental Funding Bill Washington, D.C. - “Franciscan Action Network (FAN)...
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.
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
On February 29, 2024 the Franciscan Action Network hosted a Lenten program, “Preparing our Hearts to be Peacemakers.” Our speakers included renowned...
Christians for Ceasefire Campaign
A broad coalition of national and local Christian organizations and nonviolent peacemakers have envisioned a Ceasefire Campaign rooted in the...
Christian leaders take public action in call for ceasefire, humanitarian aid to Gaza
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 14, 2024 Christian leaders take public action in call for ceasefire, humanitarian aid to Gaza Washington, DC – On...
Ceasefire Ash Wednesday Mass
On February 14, 2024, Christians for Ceasefire held an Ash Wednesday Catholic Mass and Public Witness for Peace in the Holy Land at the White House...
Franciscans Say NO to Senate Supplemental Funding Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 5, 2024 Franciscans Say NO to Senate Supplemental Funding Bill Washington, D.C. - “Franciscan Action Network (FAN)...
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?
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
On February 29, 2024 the Franciscan Action Network hosted a Lenten program, “Preparing our Hearts to be Peacemakers.” Our speakers included renowned...
Christians for Ceasefire Campaign
A broad coalition of national and local Christian organizations and nonviolent peacemakers have envisioned a Ceasefire Campaign rooted in the...
Christian leaders take public action in call for ceasefire, humanitarian aid to Gaza
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 14, 2024 Christian leaders take public action in call for ceasefire, humanitarian aid to Gaza Washington, DC – On...
Ceasefire Ash Wednesday Mass
On February 14, 2024, Christians for Ceasefire held an Ash Wednesday Catholic Mass and Public Witness for Peace in the Holy Land at the White House...
Franciscans Say NO to Senate Supplemental Funding Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 5, 2024 Franciscans Say NO to Senate Supplemental Funding Bill Washington, D.C. - “Franciscan Action Network (FAN)...
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?
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
On February 29, 2024 the Franciscan Action Network hosted a Lenten program, “Preparing our Hearts to be Peacemakers.” Our speakers included renowned...
Christians for Ceasefire Campaign
A broad coalition of national and local Christian organizations and nonviolent peacemakers have envisioned a Ceasefire Campaign rooted in the...
Christian leaders take public action in call for ceasefire, humanitarian aid to Gaza
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 14, 2024 Christian leaders take public action in call for ceasefire, humanitarian aid to Gaza Washington, DC – On...
Ceasefire Ash Wednesday Mass
On February 14, 2024, Christians for Ceasefire held an Ash Wednesday Catholic Mass and Public Witness for Peace in the Holy Land at the White House...
Franciscans Say NO to Senate Supplemental Funding Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 5, 2024 Franciscans Say NO to Senate Supplemental Funding Bill Washington, D.C. - “Franciscan Action Network (FAN)...
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?
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
On February 29, 2024 the Franciscan Action Network hosted a Lenten program, “Preparing our Hearts to be Peacemakers.” Our speakers included renowned...
Christians for Ceasefire Campaign
A broad coalition of national and local Christian organizations and nonviolent peacemakers have envisioned a Ceasefire Campaign rooted in the...
Christian leaders take public action in call for ceasefire, humanitarian aid to Gaza
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 14, 2024 Christian leaders take public action in call for ceasefire, humanitarian aid to Gaza Washington, DC – On...
Ceasefire Ash Wednesday Mass
On February 14, 2024, Christians for Ceasefire held an Ash Wednesday Catholic Mass and Public Witness for Peace in the Holy Land at the White House...
Franciscans Say NO to Senate Supplemental Funding Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 5, 2024 Franciscans Say NO to Senate Supplemental Funding Bill Washington, D.C. - “Franciscan Action Network (FAN)...
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?
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
On February 29, 2024 the Franciscan Action Network hosted a Lenten program, “Preparing our Hearts to be Peacemakers.” Our speakers included renowned...
Christians for Ceasefire Campaign
A broad coalition of national and local Christian organizations and nonviolent peacemakers have envisioned a Ceasefire Campaign rooted in the...
Christian leaders take public action in call for ceasefire, humanitarian aid to Gaza
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 14, 2024 Christian leaders take public action in call for ceasefire, humanitarian aid to Gaza Washington, DC – On...
Ceasefire Ash Wednesday Mass
On February 14, 2024, Christians for Ceasefire held an Ash Wednesday Catholic Mass and Public Witness for Peace in the Holy Land at the White House...
Franciscans Say NO to Senate Supplemental Funding Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 5, 2024 Franciscans Say NO to Senate Supplemental Funding Bill Washington, D.C. - “Franciscan Action Network (FAN)...