Readings:

Is. 55:10-11; Ps. 65; Rm. 8:18-23; Matt. 13:1-23

By their fruits will they be known. Given the incredibly devisive climate in our country today, I thought it might be helpful and prudent to analyze the riots and protests from a Catholic lens. I am sure we all agree that our country is out of joint; I am sure we all agree that what happened to George Floyd was a terrible injustice; I am sure we all agree that some level of criminal justice reform is needed. But, in the midst of violence and riots in the streets, businesses and churches burning, statues and monuments being torn down, people being shot, and children losing their lives, it is a fair question to ask: Is this the best way to bring about justice? Common sense would dictate that what has been happening, and the ways in which our leaders are responding, is far from just. If anything, we have a stronger argument that actions such as defunding the police have led to more violence and chaos. Is this the best way to bring about positive change and reform? Can violence against one’s neighbor bring about positive change? Can anything other than sin come from sin, even if the person has good intentions? As the saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. So, the question remains, is this the best way to bring about positive reform and assure justice?

A large part of this movement has been taken up by several Marxist groups who seek to bring about change by destroying the social fabric of America. This has been an ongoing exercise in slowly chipping away at what makes America strong and beautiful; it has been a systematic dismantling of the family and society. If there’s anything that’s truly systemic in this country, it is the disdain for families and true family values.

Listen to what one of these popular three-letter organizations has to say about family: “We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and ‘villages’ that collectively care for one another, especially our children….” This statement seeks to substitute the traditional nuclear family, which consists of a father, a mother, and their children, opting rather for the more modern extended family, which includes grandparents, relatives, and others. This is most often the case for single-parent households, usually out of necessity. Sadly, in many inner-city households, the majority of children are born out of wedlock and there are many statistics that show single-parent households are more likely to experience poverty. This has led to a massive destabilization of families, especially in our cities. But, rather than work to support family, the fundamental unit of society, these organizations seek to disrupt it. And while on the surface it may appear as though they are well-meaning, the truth is many alternative family structures are failing. For instance, elementary and high school students who live in alternative family structures have lower reading and math test scores; children who live in alternative family structures are more likely to have behavior problems in school; and, children in alternative family structures are less likely to worship regularly, compared to those in nuclear families. One has to wonder: Is promoting alternative family structures really the best option?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church has this to say about family and raising children: “The family is the original cell of social life. It is the natural society in which husband and wife are called to give themselves in love and in the gift of life” (2207). So, family is the fundamental building block of society. And to build that society, parents have the right and the duty to educate their children (2221) by first creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule (2223), and by teaching “children to avoid the compromising and degrading influences which threaten human societies” (2224). In other words, the Church seeks to preserve the social fabric of married and family life, which has proven throughout the ages to be a true source of progress and human flourishing.

One has to wonder if disrupting the family is really working. Many living in impoverished areas are more prone to be exposed to violence and crime, hence a greater need for police presence. But, rather than support the structures that attempt to prevent violence and crime, these Marxist organizations want to defund the police. In fact, this has already happened in multiple cities throughout the country. And what was the result? Some of the highest numbers of violent crimes in history. Just yesterday two more churches were set on fire. Not only that, but many children have lost their lives on account of the violence. Children under the age of eleven.

The Catholic Church has always encouraged society to support and strengthen marriage and the family, for the life and well-being of society (2209). Strong families bring stability and peace to society, which is far more beneficial to human flourishing than violence and chaos. It should also go without saying that the Church constantly prays for our national leaders and our police, fire, and first responders—all those who put themselves in harms way to protect the lives of others. The Church unites people together in faith in the One True God. Families become domestic churches, which support the faith and education of their children. We bring our talents and resources together to support one another to build communities and houses of worship. We come together in peace to worship Christ, the King of Peace, and we are nourished by him in Word and Sacrament. I wonder how much different things would be if the Catholic Church were leading the fight for justice in the cities.

There is much more that can be said about the grave injustices in our communities, and healthy dialogue will bring about positive change. It is my hope that the dialogue includes the message of inclusivity, justice, and peace that comes from Jesus Christ. It is Christ who unites us as brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of the Father; it is Christ who guides us along the path to eternal life; it is Christ who nourishes us so that we will bear fruit, a hundred, sixty, or thirtyfold. Let us be fertile ground for the Word of God so that we can give witness to Christ, who has gathered us into one Catholic family, a family where people from all walks of life are welcomed and encouraged to build, rather than destroy, to unite, rather than divide, to love, rather than hate.

Given during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Links:

BLM Manifesto.

Marripedia Statistics on family structures.

Washington Examiner on children killed during July 4th weekend.