Day of 'Transfiguration is a call to action for the Faithful

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

Endless War in Afghanistan that continues to kill and maim children and families in our name.

Bombarded Children of Afghanistan, "in our name"


Endless War in Afghanistan that continues to kill and maim children and families in our name. (+)
by: Karita Hummer
Fri Feb 19, 2010 at 16:19:14 PM EST

Cross-posted from Progressive Blue: http://www.progressiveblue.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=4917

Code Pink, through Gayle Brandeiss, sendt out an alert that is truly alarming: "Last weekend, twelve members of one Afghan family--including six children--were killed during NATO's Afghanistan offensive in Marjah." Code Pink, Gayle Brandeiss, from letter 2/19/2010

How much more of warfare can Afghanistan tolerate without completely falling apart. I know that the families of the recently deceased due to NATO bombing are fragmented totally grief and probably despair. I certainly don't want this being done in my name, when police investigation is the best way to handle terrorist threats. Certainly, not through wanton destruction, which probably creates more terrorists than it ever kills. I highly recommend Khaled Hosseini's novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns, to understand the disintegration of Afghan society due to relentless warfare. Whoever the adversaries have been over decades now, the result has been utter destruction and death.

See: http://www.khaledhosseini.com/...

Also: http://www.khaledhosseinifound...

Americans must ask, "Why is our government doing reckless killing in Afghanistan in our name, when other approaches are both more moral and smarter - fairer to US Citizens (because we need those resources, being spent) and fairer to the Afghan people?". We must ask the necessary questions, as Obama did in Chicago when Bush launched his invasion of Iraq. (Notice that well in to the Obama Administration that we are still not out of Iraq!)

So which Americans are asking the hard questions, and when, if ever, will the media wake up again to is being done in our name.

Well, some Americans are asking the hard questions, and, in the forefront, is Code Pink. Today, I received a letter from the writer, Gayle Brandeis,who is responsible for writing Code Pink Alerts, and this time she gets attention with a little of her own personal, poignant, narrative in the letter.

Because Code Pink offers to let this alert be shared on Facebook and Twitter, I think it is quite appropriate to share it here in its entirety on Progressive Blue as well.
Here is her poignant letter:

January 19, 2010
Dear Friend,
I have been writing the alerts for CODEPINK for several years, but this is the first time I feel compelled to step out from behind the collective voice I normally use and talk to you directly, in my own voice, from my own heart.
As I write this, my three month old baby has pneumonia. He is doing quite well, given the circumstances, but it breaks my heart to see him suffer in any way. My mother took her own life a week after the baby was born, so I feel especially vulnerable right now, especially attuned to potential loss. In this raw, open state, the latest news from Afghanistan hits hard.
Last weekend, twelve members of one Afghan family--including six children--were killed during NATO's Afghanistan offensive in Marjah. As I grapple with the grief over my mom's death, as well as worry over my sick baby, I can't begin to comprehend the grief of those affected by this massive loss. NATO Commander, US General Stanley McChrystal has apologized to President Karzai, but how can his words be anything but cold and empty to those left behind?
Won't you join me in writing to NATO Command to let them know that if they continue to kill Afghan babies and children, they will only create more terrorists? An apology alone won't appease those who have suffered such profound loss. These military attacks are not making us safer; in fact, they are inspiring more people to take up arms against our troops.
Click here to let NATO know that we cannot continue to terrorize and dehumanize the Afghan people.
As a concerned new mother, as a grieving daughter, as a human being who wants no other human being to suffer, I urge you to use your own pain, your own love, to help change the hearts and minds of those in power. Write to NATO today. And join your individual voice with us in collective chorus as we congregate in DC this March to mark the anniversary of the war and work to end our military engagements abroad. Click here to find out more.
I watch my baby sleep, follow the rise and fall of each precious breath and know I'd do anything to keep him safe. Don't the children of Afghanistan deserve to grow up feeling safe, as well? Thank you for speaking out on their behalf and on the behalf of all of our children's future.

With love and outrage and hope,

Gayle Brandeis

CodePink Alert, Gayle Brandeiss, Feb. 19, 2010

Well, no time for standing by idly. Go to Code Pink and sign their petition to General McChrystal.

http://salsa.democracyinaction...

Far too many Americans see Afghanistan as the worthy war, because of Osama Bin Laden (who probably is elsewhere, indeed, if he is still alive). Instead of killing innocent children and families, why aren't we trying less harmful remedies first like good global police work.

For anyone wishing to get a picture of the lives of Afghan citizens, as they have been pummeled in relentless wars, read Khaled Hosseini's enlightening novel, "A Thousand Splendid Suns".

http://www.khaledhosseini.com/

Stand up America! Do what's right.

Karita Hummer

Answer the Supreme court with the only voice that should count!

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Let the world know that you disagree with the Supreme Court decision giving unfettered voice to corporations through the use of their money to influence elections. Their decision threatens the very bedrock of our democracy, "We the People". The bailout pales by comparison to this wrongheaded, very destructive, decision.

Tun, go and sign the Petition. http://www.peaceteam.net/action/pnum1030.php For rightly so, you belong to "We, the people". It is your voice that should count in our elections, not corporate money.