Breaking Open the News for Fourth Sunday in Lent—A
To see how you might use one of these points in your catechesis, read “How to lead a 90-minute catechetical session.”
The Way of Faith
Explain that the tenth commandment forbids greed.
In the news
Obama administration officials and Republicans alike were nearly universal in condemning the $165 million in bonuses that the American International Group, which has received more than $170 billion in taxpayer bailout money from the Treasury and Federal Reserve, is to pay executives in the business unit that brought the company to the brink of collapse last year. (Bonus Money at Troubled A.I.G. Draws Heavy Criticism)
In the readings
Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. (Eph 5:11-13)
In the tradition
When the Law says, “You shall not covet,” these words mean that we should banish our desires for whatever does not belong to us. Our thirst for another’s goods is immense, infinite, never quenched. Thus it is written: “He who loves money never has money enough.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2536)
The Way of Faith
Explain that “the Gospel acknowledges that disease and suffering are not restricted to one group or social class. Rather, the mystery of the human condition is such that, in one way or another, all will face pain, reversal, and, ultimately, the mystery of death itself.” (The Many Faces of AIDS: A Gospel Response)
In the news
[S]ince stepping off the papal plane Tuesday, attention has focused on the pope’s statements rejecting condoms as a way to stop the spread of HIV in Africa. Three-quarters of all AIDS deaths worldwide in 2007 were in sub-Saharan Africa, where some 22 million people are infected with HIV, according to UNAIDS. (Church faces challenges in Africa amid pope visit.)
In the readings
“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him. (Jn 9:2-3)
In the tradition
[W]e are convinced that unless, as a society, we live in accord with an authentic human sexuality, on which our Catholic moral teaching is based, we will not address a major source of the spread of AIDS. Any other solution will be merely short-term, ultimately ineffective, and will contribute to the trivialization of human sexuality that is already so prevalent in our society. That is why we oppose the approach to AIDS prevention often popularly called “safe sex.” This avenue compromises human sexuality—making it “safe” to be promiscuous—and, in fact, is quite misleading. (The Many Faces of AIDS: A Gospel Response, USCCB)
The Way of Faith
Explain that love is a virtue that requires us to love even our enemies
In the news
President Obama sends a videotaped message for the Persian New Year, Nowruz, to the people of Iran. (POTUS Sends Special Video New Years Greeting to Iranians)
In the readings
“Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart.” (1 Sm 16:7)
In the tradition
The Lord asks us to love as he does, even our enemies, to make ourselves the neighbor of those farthest away, and to love children and the poor as Christ himself. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1825)
It is everyone’s duty, but especially that of Christians, to work with energy for the establishment of universal brotherhood, the indispensable basis for authentic justice and the condition for enduring peace….(Octagesima Adveniens, 17.2)
Have you seen other breaking news this week that needs to be discussed? Click on comments to share your thoughts.
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