By Fr. Jon Pedigo
Holy Week liturgies are the most intricate liturgies developed in the Western Church. The intent of the liturgies from Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) through Easter Sunday is to give the participant a sense of traveling with Christ on his journey to the Cross and Resurrection. The Gospel account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the Passover that Jesus celebrated with his disciples, Judas’s betrayal and the subsequent arrest of Jesus, his trial and crucifixion are depicted not only in the reading of the Passion, but also in the liturgy itself. We are given a liturgical lens through which we interpret the last days of Christ.
The Holy Week liturgies encourage congregational participation: certain parts of the Passion narrative are spoken by the congregation, people wave palms on Palm Sunday, wash each others’ feet on Holy Thursday, kneel, sit and stand and touch the cross at Good Friday. On Holy Saturday, the congregation celebrates Resurrection by the baptizing new members into the Church and on Easter Sunday the community reassembles to celebrate the victory of the Resurrection. As members of Grupo Solidaridad, we have an additional lens of interpretation of Holy Week apart from the liturgical lens. We have the lens of social justice. For us to put on the lens of social justice we need to appreciate the social and historical context of Jesus.
Palestine was occupied by the Roman Empire that used broken political structures to continue to oppress the people. The Romans traditionally maintained power by dividing the people against each other and by taking a big cut from a farmers’ land. The farmer kept his land as long as the tribute was paid. The Empire benefit-ed from this system, but 150 years prior to Jesus birth, the method of revenue changed from receiving tributes from the harvest to the land itself. Religiously, the “theology” of the Empire elevated the Cesar (the Emperor) as a god. The Roman Senate was reduced to a chorus of “yes men” who simply supported anything that the emperor, the Caesar, said. Thus, fidelity to the system and faithfulness to Caesar were inseparable. Loyalty oaths and religious orthodoxy were ritualized. Conquered people had to offer incense to the Roman gods. The Jews refused to do this and created a resistance movement. Jesus was born in the midst of this resistance movement.
Land taxation and the confiscation of property were the way that the new system was held in place by the time of Jesus’ birth. The priest class of Jerusalem and their families benefited from this system and as long as Herod supported this system, the entire political system benefited on the backs of farmers. This later system led to massive displacement of people. By the time of Jesus, many homeless persons were reduced to day workers to build new cities and many became landless shepherds.
Pontius Pilate, the visible face of the Empire, yielded power over life and death. King Herod, a puppet ruler who reported to Pilate, was concerned about maintaining his own power and relevance in society. Herod wanted to kill Jesus because Jesus threatened his standing and credibility. Pilate was concerned about keep-ing Jesus silent because Jesus threatened the entire system. Pilate washed his hands of Jesus’ life, he didn’t care about what would happen to Jesus so long as the system of occupation could continue.
The arrest of Jesus was a political play by Herod. Herod tried to justify his action against Jesus as a mere act of law enforcement. Pilate refused to accept the arrest on religious grounds (the only legitimate way that Herod could get away with arresting Jesus and Pilate found no evidence of theological infractions) and so Herod told Pilate that Jesus was actually trying to stir the people up and foment a riot against the Empire. At that point, Pilate sentenced Jesus to death.
Lastly, let us look at the Resurrection through the social justice lens. The Resurrection is more than a miracle: it is a “Cosmic Reset,” where old sins and betrayals are forgiven and all of creation is restored to God’s intentional design of harmony between creation and the Creator and communal peace between human beings. When we look at the Resurrection through the lens of social justice, we begin to see that Resurrection is not only about Christ being raised from the dead, we see the Resurrection as the validation of Resistance. The Resurrection validates Christ’s battle against the forces of social evil. The Resurrection, therefore, is the affirmation that there is now a New Order in which the lion lays peacefully with the lamb.
The Old Order of injustice that led to Christ’s death - the political the manipulation of power over the people, the greed of the rich, the militarism and colonialism of the Empire and the exploitation of poor must forever be resisted not by Christ, but Christ living in each one of us who are baptized into Christ. Resurrection is not something that happened to Jesus, rather, Resurrection is something that is happening now. Every time we raise our voice in defiance against injustice, we are in effect proclaiming the Victory of God over death. Every time we participate in a march in defense of the vulnerable, we proclaim the Power of the Creator over suffering caused by human ambition and greed.
The Resurrection empowers all God’s people to right the wrongs that lead to the suffering and death of the innocent and at the same time the Resurrection invalidates those who claim the high moral ground, but do nothing to alleviate poverty and end the use of violence. In short, the Resurrection is the ultimate confrontation with the Empire and that confrontation continues in our work.
Friday, April 14, 2017
Monday, April 10, 2017
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
REMINDER: Solidarity Events Week of 2/12
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Monday, February 13, 2017
Check it out! The weekly communique is now bilingual! - El comunicado semanal ya es bilingüe!
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Thursday, February 2, 2017
What a Week! Candelaria, Misa Feb 5, 9am, Newman Center.
(Read the full newsletter here: http://billroth.net/files/
From Fr. Jon:
What a week! Sweeping changes in foreign and domestic policy were announced and cabinet positions were voted on and we had unprecedented protests at airports and universities! As I was watching the news and reading the reports on the public reaction, I was drawn back to an old childhood song from the 1960’s at the hight of the Vietnam War protests, “The Times, They are a Changing” by Bob Dylan.
This song captured the power of the moment: People were agitated and calling for change. The country was caught up in a war that that claimed more and more lives, the Civil Rights Movement was in full swing and the Farm Workers were beginning their campaign for justice in California. From the vantage point of time, we can look back at the 1960’s and see the power of the people caught up in a strong social justice movement. Yes, some strikes and protests were quite violent; however, the most powerful strikes and protests used non-violent tactics.
Influenced by Gandhi, Dr. King and Cesar Chavez committed themselves to a non-violent movement for social change. Both leaders struggled to maintain the high road of non-violence. Their strength to lead came from a vision of a society in which all people are treated with equal respect and tenderness. In their vision, conflicts were resolved through dialog and the bounty of the earth was shared equally by all. Race, national origin, and creed did not divide the people because Dr King and Cesar’s vision was a vision of radical inclusion. Our Movimiento de Solidaridad (Solidarity Movement) is built upon the foundations of Christ, Gandhi, Dr King and Cesar.
Over the past few weeks we have been reaffirming our individual and collective commitment to a non-violent solidarity movement. We have also been very explicit about radical inclusion: we welcome all persons unconditionally and we also affirmed out commitment to create a better society in which discrimination and intolerance are nothing more than a bitter memory of the past.
Last week we gathered input for a “Pastoral Plan” for El Grupo de Solidaridad. We will distribute the results this coming weekend at our Misa de Solidaridad, February 5 at 9 am at the Newman Center, the corner of San Carlos and 10th Street. Following the Misa we will have a sign up for a planning committee for our Ash Wednesday action and service. Our theme for this week is, “An All Inclusive Vision Requires Courage.”
Next Misa de Solidaridad: Sunday February 5, 9 am.
Next Misa de Solidaridad will be at the Newman Center, Corner of 10th and San Carlos. Following the Misa we will celebrate “Cadelaria.” Please bring your appetites for tamales, champurado, cafe, and Mexican hot chocolate! You are also welcome to bring food to share. We will also be signing up for a planning committee for our Ash Wednesday action and service.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Jon.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Misa this week, Sacred Heart, Pray for Syria.
Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth,
who have observed his law;
seek justice, seek humility…(from the Prophet Zephaniah, first reading)
who have observed his law;
seek justice, seek humility…(from the Prophet Zephaniah, first reading)
Compañeros y Compañeras!
We had an amazing week last week. The Sacred Heart Community Service Teach-In and Training was amazing. Thank you Poncho and your staff for providing the safe space for gathering the community and providing training on building capacity in the community! Following the Teach-In and Training many folks attended the community walk to the Federal Building. Hundreds of folks showed up to give voice to a growing movement of concern around issues of civil rights, inclusion, and the treatment of and due process for immigrants. The Women's March the following day reminded us that no matter how difficult and challenging things may seem, there is always room for inspiration and hope. Women (and men) of all sectors of society walked together, lifting up the multiple concerns of the people. What a great week!
Last week at our Misa we discussed how we *as a group* might want to move forward to contribute to this growing Movement. One of the ideas that caught my attention was around the question of leadership. This week's misa will look at the question of taking on the task of raising leaders - not only in the Grupo de Solidaridad, but within our community. How might we raise young leaders to run for student government? How might we encourage high school and college students to form new groups of service and advocacy? How might we recruit people to run for political office?
I'd like for us to think through some questions this week (especially in light of the readings which coincidentally complement the theme*): What does it mean to be a leader? How can I be a mentor? How do I identify someone with talent and leadership potential? How can I nourish that talent? If someone taps my shoulder to take on a leadership role, am I ready to respond, "Yes!"?
Our next Misa de Solidaridad will take place THIS SUNDAY, January 29 at 9 am at the Newman Center, Corner of San Carlos and 10th. All are welcome and new-comers are especially welcome.
...God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise,
and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong,
and God chose the lowly and despised of the world,
those who count for nothing,
to reduce to nothing those who are something,
so that no human being might boast before God.
It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus,
who became for us wisdom from God,
as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,
so that, as it is written,
"Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord." (from 1Cor1, second reading)
and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong,
and God chose the lowly and despised of the world,
those who count for nothing,
to reduce to nothing those who are something,
so that no human being might boast before God.
It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus,
who became for us wisdom from God,
as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,
so that, as it is written,
"Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord." (from 1Cor1, second reading)
PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR THIS WEEK
Let us pray for Syrian refugees. They have lost their homeland and have been rejected by so many countries. We have an obligation to support the Syrian refugees because our foreign policy has certainly contributed to the social and political instability that have led to a mass exodus from Syria. This week we anticipate a refugee policy that will sharply reduce the number of refugees from entering the county and curtailing immigration from other "terror prone" nations.
Let us pray for Mexican immigrants and Mexico. This week we anticipate an executive order that will direct funds to construct a wall between our nation and Mexico. The politics around the building of a wall has been troubling for Mexican immigrants as well as the people of Mexico.
P. Jon
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Bill Roth, 408-876-0111
Linkedin: http://linkd.in/
Bill Roth, 408-876-0111
Linkedin: http://linkd.in/
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Bill Roth, 408-876-0111
Linkedin: http://linkd.in/1cNYoDt
Bill Roth, 408-876-0111
Linkedin: http://linkd.in/1cNYoDt
Friday, January 13, 2017
Friends of Fr. Jon: Activist events coming up soon
Amigos de Grupo De Solaridad:
We have several events coming up in the next few days that you should be aware of.
1. The Day of Action for Immigrant Rights: https://www.facebook.com/events/680292965464658/
1/14 11am. Sign up here: https://www.facebook.com/events/680292965464658/
2. Muslim-Catholic Community Event of Support and Friendship
Monday 1/16: 12 Noon in Alviso, Our Lady Star of the Sea: https://www.facebook.com/events/1810503882501284/
Sign up here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1810503882501284/
You must be a member of the Grupo on FB.
3. Rise Up for Justice: Inauguration Day: Counter inauguration. You can download the flyer here.
Friday Jan 20th, Plaza de Cesar Chavez, 11am.
Contact me if you can not register or have questions.
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Bill Roth, 408-876-0111
Linkedin: http://linkd.in/1cNYoDt
Bill Roth, 408-876-0111
Linkedin: http://linkd.in/1cNYoDt
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