Christian Discipline

     Fr. Jack and I recently talked about a frequent temptation which we confront: the desire to demonize those with whom we are in conflict. We agreed that this is a dynamic to avoid. Jesus the Christ is our example. Jesus remained in communication with his opponents and at other times remained silent in the face of their accusations (see Pontius Pilate). He often gave those to whom he had demonstrated their errors an opportunity to save face or to leave quietly (John 8:1-11). What we DO NOT see in the Gospels is Jesus condemning those who opposed him.

     And what is happening in our local communities, our country, and the world? The Muslim community, for instance, is sometimes dismissed and marginalized for the evil actions of some who claim to be followers of Islam.  If one person who claims to be Muslim, or several, commit an act of evil or violence, often they have been condemned as “radical Muslims.” At the same time, we do not hear descriptions of serial killers, for example, as “radical Christians” even though the person who did the killings claims to be Christian.

     Our human propensity to demonize and even dehumanize the other with whom we are at odds (like calling immigrants “animals,” or referring to their arrival as an “infestation”) is
something that we learn (and can unlearn!) To know another person, to look into the other’s eyes and hear his/her story is a simple way to realize that we are equal, even if we are not the same. Whether our ancestors fled famine, or were searching for religious freedom, or economic opportunity, or escaping the violence of war, etc., they were not different than the people who come to the borders of the United States from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, or Oceania seeking escape and/or opportunity. We cannot call the other an “animal” when by faith we know them as “brother/sister.” While sovereign nations have a right to protect their borders, they also must balance that right with compassion for the oppressed and for the refugee.

     Let us foster the Christian discipline of seeing the other as sister/brother and not as “animal” or “demon.” Only then can we adequately and respectfully address our disagreement. We must not forget who is our example and leader as people of the Catholic Christian faith – Jesus the Christ. We must challenge a wayward brother or sister who regularly calls others derogatory names or even refers to them as not human. National, state, and local leaders must be called to high standards to serve all constituents, not just those who agree or have similar traits, or skin color, or ethnicity. We must demand and hold fast to the principle to love our neighbor, not demonize or dehumanize him/her.

Peace, Fr. Andy