HEARTS AS WIDE AS THE WORLD Discipleship in a Global Society

THE WORLD OUR MAGNIFICENT WORLD Magnificent and Unique Magnificent and Unique Tough but Fragile Tough but Fragile The wonder of so much life in this one small globe The wonder of so much life in this one small globe

IT IS ONE WORLD ONE INTERCONNECTED WORLD We know this today as never before. Cyber connectedness Global Trade Movement of Peoples Climatic interaction

DISCIPLESHIP IN AN INTERCONNECTED WORLD As disciples in a global society we are called to realize that loving our neighbor has to realize that loving our neighbor has personal and global dimensions in an personal and global dimensions in an interdependent world. interdependent world. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers!

DISCIPLESHIP IN AN INTERCONNECTED WORLD As disciples in a global society we are called to acknowledge that violent conflict, poverty that violent conflict, poverty and denial of the dignity and denial of the dignity and rights of any people and rights of any people diminishes each of us. diminishes each of us.

DISCIPLESHIP IN AN INTERCONNECTED WORLD As disciples in a global society we are committed to understand that our responsibilities to one another cross boundaries of that our responsibilities to one another cross boundaries of gender, race, culture, creed, and economic status.

THE MORAL IMPERATIVE OF AN INTERCONNECTED WORLD Pope John Paul II called for a morally coherent worldview. “For Christians, such a worldview is grounded in religious conviction. grounded in religious conviction. Our attitude is the attitude of the Beatitudes. That path alone will lead us to the encounter with God. That path alone will save us from destroying the earth… Our attitude is the attitude of the Beatitudes. That path alone will lead us to the encounter with God. That path alone will save us from destroying the earth… Pope Francis 11/1/14

OVER CONSUMPTION 18% of the Earth’s people use 80% of the Earth’s resources. It is manifestly unjust that a privileged few should continue to accumulate excess goods, squandering available resources, while masses of people are living in conditions of misery at the very lowest level of subsistence. (John Paul II)

LIMITS Increased population with unrealistic lifestyle expectations 1950 – 2.5 billion people 2030 – projection of 8.2 billion A limited planet cannot meet unlimited expectations.

INTERCONNECTEDNESS Our present life style affects Our present life style affects - the ozone layer - polluted air and rain - destruction of life giving forests - denuded soils - fouled rivers and lakes - global warming

DISCIPLESHIP IN A GLOBAL SOCIETY Three ways to respond: I. With the heart (Contemplative) II. Self-discipline (Ascetic) III. Self-giving (Action for justice)

DISCIPLESHIP IN A GLOBAL SOCIETY I. A “heart” response (Contemplative) Karl Rahner, SJ: “The Christian of the future must be a mystic” Karl Rahner, SJ: “The Christian of the future must be a mystic” Deep reverence for the beauty and Deep reverence for the beauty and mystery of all creation mystery of all creation

DISCIPLESHIP IN A GLOBAL SOCIETY II. A self-disciplining (ascetic) response response Elizabeth Johnson: “The true Elizabeth Johnson: “The true purpose of religious fasting is to purpose of religious fasting is to become fully alive to God’s become fully alive to God’s presence.” presence.”

DISCIPLESHIP IN A GLOBAL SOCIETY III. A self-giving response (Action) - be converted from a consumer lifestyle lifestyle - address poverty - avoid war - promote cultural diversity and good stewardship of the earth. good stewardship of the earth.