With peace, we can care for ‘the least of these’

I am weary of the world’s news. I am saddened by terrible stories and unjust laws. I am shocked that there are defenders of death. I’m not much of a marcher, though. I tried it once with a gang of children but there was yelling and fist shaking toward us so that’s not my work. Following Jesus in prayer and the sacraments; living a decent life raising children and being a friend; and reading and voting is my activism. Plus focusing on peace.

The Hebrew word shalom, most often translated peace in the New Testament from the Greek word eirene, means a lack of both inner and outer conflict: no hostility in a person’s mind and no hostility between groups. During the last supper recorded in John 13-17, Jesus told his disciples that there would be trouble in the world, that people would hate them as he was hated, that they were his loving friends, that they must obey him, and that he would give them his peace to “be of good cheer.” He also told them to go out and love one another and to be witnesses; that they may even be killed by those thinking they were doing God’s work (16:2-4) but that his peace would bring spiritual serenity in the midst of conflict. So we too, love our Lord and do what he says. Peace in our minds requires some focus, however, for hostile thoughts toward people in those news stories is the default position so easy to slide into.

No one is less than human; not slaves, not refugees, not immigrants, not the unborn, and not the people who would vilify, toss aside, and nod at killing. Every person has a dignified place on this earth and has worth by their very existence, even the unborn, poor, displaced, infirm, and elderly (Perhaps even especially the “least of these.”) The laws of a just civilization should be just and civilized for all.

“Civil law must ensure that all members of society enjoy respect for certain fundamental rights which innately belong to the person, rights which every positive law must recognize and guarantee. First and fundamental among these is the inviolable right to life of every innocent human being … The legal toleration of abortion or of euthanasia can in no way claim to be based on respect for the conscience of others, precisely because society has the right and the duty to protect itself against the abuses which can occur in the name of conscience and under the pretext of freedom (Pope John Paul II, The Gospel of Life).”

Catholic social teaching on immigrants and refugees is also life-affirming for all parties: “A nation’s right to limit immigration must be based on justice, mercy, and the common good, not on self-interest...The Church teaches that every person is entitled to have basic human needs met – food, shelter, clothing, education, and health care … Our judgment will be based on our treatment of the most vulnerable (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Immigration and the Movement of Peoples).”

America is just and civilized. Our laws and policies must reflect that. This is what we pray for and work toward, each person their own way. Some march; some work as legislators; and some run nonprofit social agencies. I look to Mary. She was calm when she received Gabriel’s supernatural news; she was courageous when they had to flee for their lives to Egypt; she was content to live in a foreign land; she was confused by 12-year-old Jesus in the temple; and she was crushed by sorrow but stayed close to her son. Her last recorded words in the New Testament are to the servants from the wedding in Cana, “Do whatever he (Jesus) tells you.” May I be like her in these troubled times.

Our priest preached this past weekend on the Beatitudes and happiness and peace and a relationship with Jesus. He reminded us that life can often be troublesome and that we may not be peaceful. We should recognize the trouble and lean on him, like Mary. Focusing on peace is interior work first but it is Christ’s peace and he will help; “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (John 14: 266-27).” Then with peace; that is, a lack of hostility, we can courageously help save lives and care for “the least of these.”

Allison Howell and her family are longtime residents of the Valley. They are Catholic converts and keep a hobby farm full of animals and children.