Embedded Files
SUFFERING & DEATH: What breaks my heart?
SUFFERING & DEATH: What breaks my heart?
As we begin the sixth week of the retreat, it is a natural time to make commitments to deepen our practice of faith. In the context of our journey with the Spiritual Exercises, we return to the question of how we are responding to the example of Jesus.
As we begin the sixth week of the retreat, it is a natural time to make commitments to deepen our practice of faith. In the context of our journey with the Spiritual Exercises, we return to the question of how we are responding to the example of Jesus.
Many Gospel stories, such as the Good Samaritan, remind us that “in the face of the suffering of so many people destroyed by hunger, by violence and by injustices, we cannot remain spectators.” – Pope Francis, General Audience: On the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Many Gospel stories, such as the Good Samaritan, remind us that “in the face of the suffering of so many people destroyed by hunger, by violence and by injustices, we cannot remain spectators.” – Pope Francis, General Audience: On the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
As individuals we are also part of larger structures that contribute to these injustices, such as systemic racism. Our journey with Jesus can lead to some challenging places. In this part of the retreat, we walk with Jesus in the midst of suffering in his journey and in the world. In the Stations of the Cross we can find the ways that Jesus’s suffering and death resonates with injustices in our own society today.
As individuals we are also part of larger structures that contribute to these injustices, such as systemic racism. Our journey with Jesus can lead to some challenging places. In this part of the retreat, we walk with Jesus in the midst of suffering in his journey and in the world. In the Stations of the Cross we can find the ways that Jesus’s suffering and death resonates with injustices in our own society today.
“An innocent man is about to be killed, and the laws of the land will not protect him. A crowd has gathered – not to protest, but to cheer. Government leaders are indifferent, more concerned about politics than justice.” - Stations of the Cross: Overcoming Racism from the US Bishops Conference.
“An innocent man is about to be killed, and the laws of the land will not protect him. A crowd has gathered – not to protest, but to cheer. Government leaders are indifferent, more concerned about politics than justice.” - Stations of the Cross: Overcoming Racism from the US Bishops Conference.
RESOURCES FOR PRAYER & REFLECTION
RESOURCES FOR PRAYER & REFLECTION
Grace for the Week
Grace for the Week
I pray for a deeper understanding of the structures of racism in our contemporary world.
I pray for a deeper understanding of the structures of racism in our contemporary world.
Daily Resources for Prayer
Daily Resources for Prayer
- Day 7: Repetition
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- How does the Good Samaritan parable apply to a situation in my life or in our world?
- Responding to the call of the U.S. Bishops to examine our own hearts and consciences: How can I break down racial divisions, intolerance, and discrimination?
- What Bible passages inspire me and guide my actions? How do they call me to be of service to others?
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS…
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS…
Please take some time to record a few brief notes on your prayer.
Please take some time to record a few brief notes on your prayer.
When our eyes do not see the gravity of racial justice,
When our eyes do not see the gravity of racial justice,
Shake us from our slumber and open our eyes, O Lord.
Shake us from our slumber and open our eyes, O Lord.
When out of fear we are frozen into inaction,
When out of fear we are frozen into inaction,
Give us a spirit of bravery, O Lord.
Give us a spirit of bravery, O Lord.
When we try our best but say the wrong things,
When we try our best but say the wrong things,
Give us a spirit of humility, O Lord.
Give us a spirit of humility, O Lord.
When the chaos of this dies down,
When the chaos of this dies down,
Give us a lasting spirit of solidarity, O Lord.
Give us a lasting spirit of solidarity, O Lord.
When it becomes easier to point fingers outwards,
When it becomes easier to point fingers outwards,
Help us to examine our own hearts, O Lord.
Help us to examine our own hearts, O Lord.
God of truth, in your wisdom, Enlighten Us.
God of truth, in your wisdom, Enlighten Us.
God of hope in your kindness, Heal Us.
God of hope in your kindness, Heal Us.
Creator of All People, in your generosity, Guide Us.
Creator of All People, in your generosity, Guide Us.
Racism breaks your heart,
Racism breaks your heart,
break our hearts for what breaks yours, O Lord.
break our hearts for what breaks yours, O Lord.
Ever present God, you called us to be in relationship with one another and promised to dwell wherever two or three are gathered. In our community, we are many different people; we come from many different places, have many different cultures. Open our hearts that we may be bold in finding the riches of inclusion and the treasures of diversity among us. We pray in faith.
Ever present God, you called us to be in relationship with one another and promised to dwell wherever two or three are gathered. In our community, we are many different people; we come from many different places, have many different cultures. Open our hearts that we may be bold in finding the riches of inclusion and the treasures of diversity among us. We pray in faith.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse