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.
“When we begin to separate people in our thoughts for unjust reasons, when we start to see some people as “them” and others as “us,” we fail to love. Yet love is at the heart of the Christian life. When approached and asked what is the greatest commandment, Jesus answered: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt 22:37-39). This command of love can never be simply “live and let others be.” The command of love requires us to make room for others in our hearts. It means that we are indeed our brother’s keeper (see Gn 4:9).”
Questions for reflection
What is my immediate response to the paragraph? What stood out to me?
Who is it easy to love? Who is it hard to love?
How can I show love to those who I disagree with?
Do I show love to myself? Do I recognize I am created in the image and likeness of God?
How can I best be “my brother’s keeper”?
Families: Go over the following questions together:
· Have you ever felt like someone wasn’t listening to you? Or someone made you feel like you weren’t very important?
· What does that feel like?
· If we love someone, should we listen to them, as much as possible?
· How do we show those we don’t know well that we love them and that they are important because they are created in the image of God?
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.
Everyone Belongs read aloud by Loyola Press read by Chris Corrice (St. Anthony Parish, DM)
Additional paragraph to ponder:
“As Christians, we know it is our duty to love others. St. Paul reminds us that we live by the Spirit, and the “fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal 5:22-23). We must be honest with ourselves. Each of us should examine our conscience and ask if these fruits are really present in our attitudes about race. Or, rather, do our attitudes reflect mistrust, impatience, anger, distress, discomfort, or rancor? ”