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.
Love compels each of us to resist racism courageously. It requires us to reach out generously to the victims of this evil, to assist the conversion needed in those who still harbor racism, and to begin to change policies and structures that allow racism to persist. Overcoming racism is a demand of justice, but because Christian love transcends justice, the end of racism will mean that our community will bear fruit beyond simply the fair treatment of all. After all, “Within [the human] family,” as St. John Paul II said, “each people preserves and expresses its own identity and enriches others with its gifts of culture.”
— Open Wide Our Hearts, Pgs 18-19 USCCB
Questions for reflection
What is my immediate response to the paragraph? What stood out to me?
In what ways have I worked to overcome bias or racism in myself? In others?
What has been easy about the process? Difficult?
How do I struggle to love those who are difference than me? How do I succeed?
Why is it important/what benefits are there to overcome racism in our country, city, parish?
Families: The next time you or your family are watching your favorite TV show or movie, identify and discuss any racial stereotypes you notice.
• How are people of different racial backgrounds portrayed?
• How might these stereotypes contribute to our biases?
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:
But Christ heals all divisions, including those that are at the core of racism. It is through his Cross that we learn the greatest lesson about love. On the Cross, Jesus died for the human race (see 2 Cor 5:15). “He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world” (1 Jn 2:2). Here is our hope! Here is the grace given to us to be healed of this sin of division! Here is the lesson of love.
— Open Wide Our Hearts, Pg 17-18 USCCB
As we read above, Christ heals all division. Does this mean we do not need to the work of overcoming the sin of racism (and/or other sins that cause division) here on earth? Why or why not?