Being a grain of wheat …
If you are aware that people you associate with are concerned about how to act when bad things happen to good people, then you might find the following Gospel Enquiry useful for helping you to put your faith into action. The enquiry has been based on the Gospel for the liturgy for the Feast of St Maria Goretti.
Maria Goretti (1890-1902) was the daughter of a poor Italian tenant framer. She never had the opportunity to go to school and never learned to read and write. One hot day, Maria (she was twelve at the time) was sitting outside mending a skirt. A young man, Alessandro, saw her and attempted to rape her. She resisted, so he stabbed her. Her mother rushed her to hospital, but the doctors were not able to save her. Before she passed away on 6 July, Maria forgave her attacker. When she was canonised in 1980, Alessandro was one of the 250,000 people gathered in St Peter’s Square.
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, a grain of wheat must fall to the ground and die to make many seeds. But if it never dies, it remains only a single seed. Those who love their lives will lose them, but those who hate their lives in this world will keep true life forever. Whoever serves me must follow me. Then my servant will be with me everywhere I am. My Father will honor anyone who serves me.” (John 12:24-26 – New Century Version)
SEE
Choose something that you consider unjust and that you are concerned about, something which shows bad things happening to good people. What did you do when you found out about it?
When, where, how often and why has the injustice happened?
What has happened to good people because of the injustice? Also look for good things that have happened because of the injustice. What can you identify in the actions of those who have been treated unjustly that leads to good things happening?
JUDGE
What do you think about the injustice you have identified and analysed?
What does your faith tell you about the injustice? What can you find in Jesus’ words to help you to understand how to behave in unjust situations?
What should happen to restore justice in the situation you have been considering? How is this represented in Jesus’ words?
ACT
What change would you like to see in the situation you have been considering?
What is one thing you can do this week that will be a worthwhile contribution towards restoring justice in the situation you have been considering?
Who can you involve in your action?
Author: Pat Branson
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