A Call to Repent
By Mary Grace Dostalik
There is so much pain and darkness in the world right now.
The murder of George Floyd and the subsequent protests and riots has shaken American citizens. The need for change cannot be ignored any longer.
On social media, people are speaking out against racism. There has been a call to action that has been more all-encompassing than anything in my own memory.
Maybe you are white like me and you are being forced to confront your own privilege. Maybe the fear of saying the wrong thing has you paralyzed and silent. Maybe you are so overwhelmed with despair that you have lost hope.
The 1979 Letter of the U.S. Bishops on Racism states that “the sin of racism defiles the image of God and degrades the sacred dignity of humankind which has been revealed by the mystery of the Incarnation. Let all know that it is a terrible sin that mocks the cross of Christ and ridicules the Incarnation. For the brother and sister of our Brother Jesus Christ are brother and sister to us.”
Racism makes a mockery of the Incarnation because in degrading other human beings we are degrading Christ who became human and stood among us. We have to fight for the dignity of each human life. Racism is a sin. It is incompatible with God’s design.
But what can we do? How do we fight when it seems hopeless?
Begin with prayer.
I commend everyone who feels called to post on social media about the dignity of black lives. But posting on social media only does so much. If we want actual change, we must begin with ourselves.
It is essential to root out the sin of racism. To begin with, we should examine our hearts. Start by performing an examination of conscience and reflect on how you have committed the sin of racism. Repent and pray.
Just as with any sin, it takes consistent work to root it out. This must be an ongoing process. We must make conscious decisions each day to love each other better. Because black lives do matter.
In his play, The Jeweler’s Shop, St. John Paul II wrote, “the future depends on love.”
We have failed to love. The only hope of moving forward requires us to humbly ask for forgiveness so we can try and love better.
Prayer Against Racism
Wake me up Lord, so that the evil of racism finds no home within me. Keep watch over my heart Lord, and remove from me any barriers to your grace, that may oppress and offend my brothers and sisters. Fill my spirit Lord, so that I may give services of justice and peace. Clear my mind Lord, and use it for your glory. And finally, remind us Lord that you said, "blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Amen.
Mary Grace was born and raised a Texas girl and grew up in Plano, TX. She will be graduating in December from Benedictine College with a degree in Evangelization and Catechesis. She is tea-enthusiast, an Irish dancer, and an aspiring writer.
We would like to feature a series of articles around the topic of race. If you would like to contribute, please email us at hello@theycw.com. Even if you have only a few sentences to share, whatever color your skin is, we want to hear from you.
