Pray, Study, Act: The Fourth Week of Lent, March 27-April 2

PRAYER - STUDY - ACTION

Fourth Week of Lent, March 27-April 2

Friday, March 25, 2022

Greetings of peace!

One of the things we've been meditating on as we have gone about our work this year is Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace Rev. Bryan Massingale's words in his short speech at this past summer's national conference; in particular, his warning that "the greatest threat to peace in our time, both nationally and even internationally, is the rise of white nationalism." We've been trying to incorporate that lens in every aspect of the work that we do.

Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace and Pax Christi Anti-Racism Team alumna Beatrice Parwatikar reflected recently on what drives white nationalism as she and the others on our Bread Not Stones 2022 coordinating committee considered the intersection between white nationalism and militarism. She wrote,

"The rise of white nationalism is connected to fear. The fear of losing a white nation identity, an identity that must be protected at all costs. The use of arms and arming yourself, for the white nationalist, must happen before the shift, before white people become the minority in the population. White nationalists feel they must have a white militia to support and protect white people and their ideals. It is also a protection of the white Jesus ... The white Jesus is the symbol that white people, especially white men, should be at the top of the race pyramid."

Lent is an apropos time to pray, study and act on racial injustice and reflect on Bryan's words, especially for our movement. We hope the resources below help facilitate our prayer, study and action this upcoming fourth week of Lent. And may we take to heart Beatrice's words that "we remember, in God's eyes, there is no hierarchy of people; that we remember that God created only one human race and was well-pleased."

In peace,

Johnny Zokovitch

Executive Director, Pax Christi USA

PRAYER

A prayer for dismantling racism

by the Pax Christi Anti-Racism Team

Dear God, in our efforts to dismantle racism, we understand that we struggle not merely against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities -- those institutions and systems that keep racism alive by perpetuating the lie that some members of the family are inferior and others superior.

Create in us a new mind and heart that will enable us to see brothers and sisters in the faces of those divided by racial categories.

Give us the grace and strength to rid ourselves of racial stereotypes that oppress some of us while providing entitlements to others.

Help us to create a Church and nation that embraces the hopes and fears of oppressed People of Color where we live, as well as those around the world.

Heal your family God, and make us one with you, in union with our brother Jesus, and empowered by your Holy Spirit. Amen.

>> Find more of the ways that the Pax Christi Anti-Racism Team continues to resource our movement by searching our website. Find info on the team at this link, resources written by members and alumni for Brothers and Sisters All here, and newer pieces like this one related to the war in Ukraine. You'll find numerous contributions for reflection written by PCART members and alumni on our webpage in support of Black Lives Matter at this link.

STUDY

“White nationalism is the gravest threat to peace”

Rev. Bryan Massingale, accepting the Teacher of Peace Award

at Pax Christi USA's 2021 National Conference

Rev. Bryan N. Massingale, S.T.D., 2021 Teacher of Peace Award Recipient

In accepting the 2021 Teacher of Peace Award at Pax Christi USA’s national conference last summer, Rev. Bryan Massingale stated unequivocally that “the greatest threat to peace in our time, both nationally and even internationally, is the rise of white nationalism.”

Watch the video of his acceptance speech above or find the text at this link.

>> On your own or with your local community, study this anti-racist critique of Pax Christi USA’s theology and practice of nonviolence, by Pax Christi USA Anti-Racism Team alumna and Ambassador of Peace Tom Cordaro.

>> Find additional resources for study on Black Lives Matter, racial justice, racial equity and the Catholic Church; on anti-racism, nonviolence and Pax Christi USA; on white privilege and white fragility; and more on our webpage of prayer, study and action in support of Black Lives Matter

ACTION

Plan a Good Friday Way of the Cross action

Address the intersectionality of war, racism, economic injustice,

the climate crisis & more by reflecting on Jesus's steps to Calvary

Traditionally, many Pax Christi USA local groups plan and stage a “Way of the Cross” event on Good Friday, connecting the sufferings of Christ during his passion with the suffering of our brothers and sisters at the hands of violence, greed, poverty, sickness and war. This year, we invite Pax Christi USA local groups, Catholic Worker communities, partners and friends to organize Good Friday witness actions that address the intersectionality of war, racism, economic injustice, the climate crisis & more by reflecting on Jesus's steps to Calvary.

You can find resources for groups interested in undertaking a Way of the Cross in their community on Good Friday at this link. (Good Friday is on April 15th this year, but you can also plan your vigil and action on other days.)

Please fill out this form to let us know if you have a Way of the Cross planned in your community. We will list the names of groups, with contact information, which will be staging a Way of the Cross this year on our website here.

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