Ash Wednesday
For Lent 2021, members of CTA’s Anti-Racism Team are sharing weekly reflections. As they are published, their pieces will be posted here.
Readings
Joel 2:12-18
Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab,12-13,14 and 17
2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Prayer
"May we—separated peoples, estranged strangers,
unfriended families, divided communities—
turn toward each other,
and turn toward our stories,
with understanding and listening,
with argument and acceptance,
with challenge, change
and consolation.
Because if God is to be found,
God will be found
in the space
between."
—A Prayer for Reconciliation by Pádraig Ó Tuama
Reflection
We begin another season of Lent, a time to look at how we are living our lives, a time to reflect on are we using the grace and gifts we have been given as Jesus showed us. The readings invite us to turn back to God, to reconnect with all of humanity and all of creation.
This past year has been a shock to the stability so many assumed was normal. The racism and white supremacy that permeates our society were openly exposed. The pandemic of COVID-19 disproportionality affects people of color and racist policing created massive protests. White supremacists promoted lies and attacks in order to maintain power and even took issue with the fact that people of color voted. This caused many to cry, this is not who we are, this is not America.
Yet, yes this is the real America, just ask any of the marginalized groups who have suffered since the founding of this country. The law-and-order theme is used to normalize the oppression of the other. The institutions and laws are designed to maintain a sense of order while ensuring the oppressed cannot have a voice or have equal opportunities. Institutionalized systemic racism allows white people to deny oppression, racism, LGBTQ+ discrimination, the criminalization and marginalization of persons without documents while maintaining the vast advantage of being white—its power and privilege.
If we are going to return to God, we need to speak out. We need to reach out to those who are being persecuted, provide support for their efforts, and resist the temptation to do nothing. We need to listen to them and follow their lead. If we do not resist evil, we are complicit. The problems are real and most white people do not want to face the facts. It is easy to say “I am not racist” yet if we do not act to expose the racist policies and institutions, we are rejecting God’s love.
Proposed action
One way we can listen to the voices of the oppressed is to learn the real history of our country. I challenge us to use this Lent to begin to study the stories of marginalized communities and their part in U.S. history. Study them through their voices, not from voices and perspectives of white audiences. Commit to continue this journey of understanding beyond Lent.
February is Black History Month, and this can provide a starting point.
There are many resources available, a few examples:
Radical Habits: Unearthing the History of Black Catholic Nuns in the Black Freedom Struggle by Dr. Shannen Dee Williams
CTA Anti-Racism Reading Reviews (coming soon!)
Almsgiving
Consider donating to a local justice organization or to Call To Action.
