The summer of 2020 has been marked by civil discord, unrest, and even violence. Seeing injustice in society, some have separated themselves from the majority, who have chosen to protest peacefully, and have given themselves over to anger, rage, and violence, creating a legacy of destruction. This tide of violence has even touched the Catholic Church, leaving its ugly mark as numerous religious statues and monuments have been torn down, beheaded, or otherwise vandalized.
As we witness violence in society, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and spiritually disoriented. What are we to think, and how are we to act when we see injustice? Now more than ever we need to encounter and share the healing love of Christ, which is most profoundly revealed to us from the Cross. If we cling to Christ, He will give us the grace to reflect the love of God directly into the world around us. In His Sermon on the Mount, Christ called the peacemakers in this world blessed; we must contemplate what it means to be a peacemaker amid the injustices of this world if we wish to truly follow Him.
In this lesson your students will:
- Explore what the Catechism teaches about charity in the face of violence and social discord.
- Discuss how the Church calls her members to bring about healing and reconciliation in society.
- Examine the common ties all men share as children of God, made in His image.
- Consider the teaching of Pope Benedict XV on the social necessity of Christian charity in an excerpt from his Encyclical Ad Beatissimi Apostolorum.
- Determine how we can respond as peacemakers when confronted with violence in society.