Follow the Founder
"The Treasures of the Church” by George and Polly Capps
Follow the Founder
By Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend
They preach, but they do not practice. - Matthew 23:3
For me, Lent began this year amidst a long season of sorrow, rage, and helplessness, watching what has been going on in the United States and wondering why every priest, bishop, and cardinal in the country hasn’t been talking about it every Sunday. Some have spoken up, but the silence has been deafening from far too many - or worse, the tepid responses from the ones who try to have it both ways. If every life is sacred, if we will be judged by how we treat the least of these, then the only acceptable Catholic response to what is happening is full-throated condemnation.
If the clergy isn’t going to lead the way this Lent, showing how I can use my prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to meet this moment, who, I wondered as I made my Lenten plans, should I look to? The answer should have been obvious.
In the Gospels, “Believe in me” isn’t what Jesus kept repeating to those he encountered. He modeled with his words and actions how we should treat others and respond to systemic oppression, all the while imploring Follow me, follow me, follow me.
As American nun, Joan Chittister, points out, “[T]hey murdered Jesus for confronting those in power, for not accepting the status quo, for breaking their unjust laws, for riling up the people, for giving hope to the poor and vulnerable."
So, this Lent, I am praying for the courage of the prophets, to speak up for those whose voices are silenced, even when it is scary for my little introverted heart. Even when it is unpopular and will not win me friends.
I am fasting from letting myself off the hook. Instead of doomscrolling while muttering, “Someone should do something about this,” I will remember that I am someone.
I am giving alms by donating to the organizations on the ground, but I am also, in a time so saturated with hate, giving my love away: in undivided attention, in searching for ways I can help friends and strangers, in making sure my children know they’re unequivocally loved, so they don’t grow into adults containing a void they try to fill with other people’s misery and made up FIFA awards.
Jesus said that I am salt and light, two of his society’s most important, valuable things. This Lent, I am trying to live up to it.
A few days ago, the USCCB finally released a strong statement condemning the administration’s detention center warehouses. Maybe this is a turning point. Maybe, by the time this reflection is posted, its frustration with our leaders will no longer be relevant. I hope so. If not, we can pray to St. Anthony, that he may help these men find their moral clarity, but we can’t wait for them. Let’s follow Jesus this Lent, and hope they catch up.
They may be the clergy, but WE are the Church.
Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend is a playwright and President of the Board of Arts For All, a NYC-based nonprofit bringing accessible artistic opportunities to children who face barriers to exploring the arts.
George Capps and Polly Capps Paule are a brother-sister team of fine artists dedicated to creating original sacred artwork in the classical tradition for churches, educational institutions, and private chapels.