Studying the Open Wide Our Hearts Letter
Every Thursday in Lent we will offer a chance to read & reflect on an excerpt from the pastoral letter from the US Catholic Bishops. There will be additional excerpts available on the website for those interested. If you would like to see the letter in its entirety, please click here.
Read the following excerpt from the bishop’s letter. Then reflect using the questions below.
Pope Benedict XVI noted, “As a spiritual being, the human creature is defined through interpersonal relations. The more authentically he or she lives these relations, the more his or her own personal identity matures. It is not by isolation that man establishes his worth, but by placing himself in relation with others and with God.” We are meant to love God with our whole being, which then overflows into love for our neighbor. “Whoever loves God must love his brother” (1 Jn 4:21).
— Open Wide Our Hearts, Pg 9 USCCB
Questions for reflection
What is my immediate response to the paragraph? What stood out to me?
Who are some people whose friendships/relationships help me grow in my faith? Why?
Have I struggled in my friendships/relationships this past year due to social distancing? Has this affected my friendship with God?
Are there people I distance myself from, not because of their sin, but because of my own sin/struggles? How can I grow in love?
Families: Discuss the questions. If possible, broaden the discussion to include neighbors, community, etc.
What’s one important characteristic of your family?
What do you love about how your family does things?
How can you celebrate or learn about a culture different from your own?
What can you do to let someone know you know how special he or she is?
Additional Resources:
Open Wide Our Hearts Study Guide by USCCB This study guide covers the entire document with further insight, discussion/reflection questions, and links to additional resources, including links for the Native American experience as well.
Additional paragraph to ponder:
As Christians, we are called to listen and know the stories of our brothers and sisters. We must create opportunities to hear, with open hearts, the tragic stories that are deeply imprinted on the lives of our brothers and sisters, if we are to be moved with empathy to promote justice
— Open Wide Our Hearts, Pg 10 USCCB
How can you listen to the stories of those whose inherent dignity has been ignored?