Here at IVC, we believe acts of service motivated by empathy make a long and lasting difference in our communities. The evil of gun violence impacts all of us, across all different classes, races, and religions. Yet, some communities, many of which are ones where IVC members serve, face this evil regularly. As such, we hold the many lives affected by gun violence in our hearts and prayers, but must also partner our prayer with action. Here are some ways you can help:
- Write to your elected officials to tell them to enact key policy requests made by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2019.
- Support organizations that address gun violence in the United States of America.
- Talk with your parish about how your faith community can more intentionally hold victims of gun violence in prayer.
- Donate to anti-violence causes you trust.
- Check-in with your friends and family members who are teachers and other front-line workers.
Our friends at The Ignatian Solidarity Network have compiled resources to help you and your community process and discern your response and action on these issues as a person of faith.
In Mark’s Gospel story of The Rich Young Man, just before Jesus encourages the young man to commit to acts of service by selling all his possessions and giving to the poor, Mark says “Jesus looked at him and loved him.” What does it mean to look at someone with love? When you encounter people from different walks of life with different values or beliefs, how do you look at them? Do you see their humanity? Do you see their divinity?
Pray for the grace to see everyone as Jesus saw the Rich Young Man: with love.
The Rich Young Man (Mk 10: 17-22).
As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good
teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.’”
He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.”
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to [the] poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
At that statement, his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.