QUESTIONS:
1. As the people of Israel moved
from the wilderness and settled into the land of Canaan, they depended
no longer on manna but the produce of the land. In what ways do we
see the hand of God in the productivity of our land and the work of farmers
and farm workers?
2. St. Paul called the people of Corinth to be reconciled with God. What are some of the sins against our brothers and sisters, against those most in need and against God’s creation, for which we need to be reconciled? Pope John Paul II has spoken of “social sin” in contrast to personal sin. What are some examples from your own experience of social sin? Are there actions we can take to seek reconciliation for social sins?
3. The parable of the prodigal son
is told against the background of Jesus being accused of welcoming sinners,
people who stand judged by the community because of their actions.
In what ways do we ostracize people who do not fit our expectations
for participation in community? How can we be forgiving and welcoming
of those who live and act outside of what are considered to be the norms
of society?
ACTIONS:
1. If you are able, take a drive
through some nearby farmland. Reflect on the care of the soil and
the often back-breaking labor involved in bringing food to our tables.
Buy some locally produced food and, if you can, thank the farmer and farm
worker who produced it for you.
2. Arrange a conversation with a relative or friend and talk about people you each know who have experienced exclusion from our culture: people of color, people with mother tongues other than English, people who work menial jobs, the homeless, prisoners, homosexuals, the disabled. Explore some ways you could reach across those barriers and give them the experience of inclusion?