An old African adage, "When you pray, move your feet."
Who among us prayed harder this way than Martin Luther King, who time and time again, put his beliefs and moral vision in to marching action and non-violent protests?
That, too, is what I mean by "Faithful Citizenship", a phrase the Catholic Bishops of America use in calling Catholics to action.
I was reminded of the African Adage, "When you pray, move your feet.", this morning when the Pastor of the Church I attend, spoke of the meaning of the Transfiguration Gospel, which he said was, in essence, not to stay up on the Mountain top, away from the action needed below, but to wed contemplation and prayer to action, to have no division between them.
On this subject of Faithful Citizenshiip, let's listen to the Catholic Bishops in their message to the Faithful.
http://www.usccb.org/bishops/FCBullInsert.pdf
In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. As Catholics, we should be guided more by our moral convictions than by our attachment to a political party or interest group. In today’s environment, Catholics may feel politically disenfranchised, sensing that no party and few candidates fully share our
comprehensive commitment to human life and dignity.
Catholic lay women and men need to act on the Church’s moral principles and become more involved:
- running for office,
- working within political parties,
- and communicating concerns to elected officials.
Even those who cannot vote should raise their voices on matters that affect their lives and the common good.
http://www.usccb.org/bishops/FCBullInsert.pdf
Exactly our calling!
Karita Hummer
Convenor: St. Joseph Basilica Forum for Catholic Social Teaching and Faithful Citizenship.
See Bishops Justice for Immigrants Campaign, as it implements their vision for justice for all people:.
Immigration reform legislation may soon be considered in Congress. Help us show your Senators and Representatives that Catholics and other supporters of immigrants want our elected officials to enact meaningful and compassionate immigration reform.
http://www.capwiz.com/justiceforimmigrants/issues/alert/?alertid=14503781&type=CO
