If you have ever met me, you have most likely heard me say
we are seeking to build a culture of life and civilization of love. What do I mean by that and how does one go about building a
culture of life and civilization of love?
The phrase “culture of life and civilization of love” is
based on the writings of Saint Pope John Paul II. In his encyclical The Gospel of Life, he shares:
To all the members of the Church,
the people of life and for life, I make this most urgent appeal, that together
we may offer this world of ours new signs of hope, and work to ensure that
justice and solidarity will increase and that a new culture of human life will
be affirmed, for the building of an authentic civilization of truth and love.
(EV, 1)
All together, we must build a new
culture of life: new, because it will be able to confront and solve today's
unprecedented problems affecting human life; new, because it will be adopted
with deeper and more dynamic conviction by all Christians; new, because it will
be capable of bringing about a serious and courageous cultural dialogue among
all parties. … There is no true freedom where life is not welcomed and loved; and
there is no fullness of life except in freedom. (EV, 95 & 96)
Building a culture of life and civilization of love
is based on 1) Truth – the truth of who God is and the truth that each human
person is made in the image and likeness of God 2) Authentic Freedom -
the connection between the goods of human life and freedom. Below are some ways of building a culture of life and civilization of love in the "nitty gritty" of daily life.
- Pray Fervently
- Thank God for the gifts in your life
- Ask God for the grace to recognize each human person as made in His image and likeness
- Beseech God to change hearts so that individuals may know Him as the God of Love, Truth, and Mercy
- Pray for all parents, especially those in difficult situations and pregnant mothers, fathers, and unborn children
- Pray for those who do not know God’s love and their own dignity
- Affirm through your actions that each person you encounter tells you something unique about God
- Smile and say thank you to the person at the check-out counter
- Pray for the driver who cuts you off
- Take joy in the curiosity of a young child
- Make a meal for a neighborhood family
- Write a letter or visit an elderly neighbor
- Donate new or gently used clothing to a charity
- Learn local and national resources which uphold the dignity of individuals in need and share this information with others. Examples include …
- Pregnancy Centers, Gabriel Project, and Birthline
- Family Shelters
- Human Trafficking
- Community assistance for parents of children with special needs
- Project Rachel for those suffering after an abortion
- Parenting Classes and other assistance
- AA and Al-anon Meetings
- Community support for those grieving the death of a loved one
- Catholic Mobilizing Network
- Follow Facebook pages, blogs, and news sites that share inspirational & uplifting stories
This blog is intended to provide you with positive reflections and practical guides on how you can build a culture of life and civilization of love in your family, parish, and neighborhood. Stay tuned for more!
