Racism is real. On May 25, 2020, Mr. George Floyd died in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His tragic death caused an outpouring of grief and anger. What happened to Mr. Floyd was sickening. It was a sin against the Fifth Commandment – "You shall not kill." It was a violation of his fundamental right to life as a human being created in the image and likeness of God. I can understand why people are outraged. It was another instance of a pattern that has been repeated far too many times – Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and now George Floyd. Every human being deserves to be safe, but for African-Americans in this country, they have long lived in fear, doubting that their personal safety will be protected in our society.
 
To whatever extent there is any bias or racial prejudice affecting the decisions or job performance of any of our public servants, we as a society must root it out. We must continually review our systems of law enforcement and criminal justice, so that they may better reflect the values of fairness and accountability.
 
The response to the death of George Floyd began as a national outcry against the sin of racism. Some of that response was peaceful and prayerful, but there were also many shameful instances of mob violence, looting, and destruction. To attack and burn the buildings or vehicles of innocent bystanders is a sin against the Ten Commandments — “You shall not steal” and “You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods,” to name only two. The promotion of chaos and anarchy does not serve the cause of justice. You cannot solve the problem of victimization by victimizing others.
 
In his book, Strength to Love, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr, wrote, “Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction.”
 
Racism causes harm, not only to its victims, but also to its perpetrators, because it corrupts the soul. As Catholic Christians, we must pursue the highest standards of respect for the dignity of every person. To be Catholic is to be pro-life. Racism disrespects the dignity of human life. Regardless of age, location, or race, every human life is to be cherished and protected. Psalm 139:13-14 says, “You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I praise you, so wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works.” These words apply to all of us.
 
Racism tries to divide the human family, but the human family is one. Every human being is our brother and sister, created in the image and likeness of God. The beautiful variety of human faces, physical characteristics, and cultures is like a colorful tapestry that gives glory to God, who is the father of all.
 
Jesus Christ did not come to save just one particular race.  He died for all (2 Cor 5:14). After his Resurrection, he told his disciples, “Go, and make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19). When the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples on the great event of Pentecost, the birthday of our Church, there were people present “from every nation under Heaven” (Acts 2:5). While the works of the flesh include such divisive attitudes as hatred, rivalry, jealousy, dissensions, and factions (Gal 5:19-20), the Holy Spirit brings unity to the Body of Christ: “As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit” (1 Cor 12:12-13).
 
The social teachings of the Catholic Church make it clear that racism is wrong. For example, the documents of the Second Vatican Council say, “The Church reproves, as foreign to the mind of Christ, any discrimination against men or harassment of them because of their race, color, condition of life, or religion” (Nostra Aetate, 5). “Since all men possess a rational soul and are created in God's likeness, since they have the same nature and origin, have been redeemed by Christ, and enjoy the same divine calling and destiny, the basic equality of all must receive increasingly greater recognition” (Gaudium et Spes, 29). This is a call to action.
 
What will be our response to the sin of racism? The events that have unfolded in recent years constitute a wake-up call for all of us to do some soul searching and prayerfully examine our own personal attitudes about race. Here are some questions that would be good to ponder:

• When was the last time I shared a meal with someone whose race is different from my own?

• When was the last time I visited the home of someone whose race is different from my own?

• When was the last time I had a good, heart-to-heart conversation with someone whose race is different from my own?

• How do I respond when I hear a racially insensitive joke or an unfair racist comment?

• What are some things that I could do to open up doors of friendship across racial lines?

• What can I do personally to help create more of an atmosphere of welcome in my local parish?

• Am I content simply to watch passively as our society grows more ill, or will I actively do what I can to help it get better?

 
The Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi says, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.” You and I can sow these positive seeds right here in West Texas on any given day.
 
Let me conclude this reflection with the inspiring words of the mystic St. John of the Cross. He was a Catholic priest who lived about 400 years ago in Spain. He said, “Where there is no love, put love, and you will find love.”