Whatsoever you do for the least of my people, that you do unto me.

STEWARDS OF OUR EARTH

All of God’s Creation

Social Justice Committee, Holy Cross Parish, Mt. Airy, February 8, 2026

The Seven Corporal Works of Mercy by the Master of Alkmaar (1504), Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Wikipedia Excerpts from a reflection by John Charles McAllister-Ashley of the Mercy Justice Team, 1/30/26

Over the last few months, we have watched chaos unfold in communities across the United States; news outlets, social media platforms, and some of our own real-life encounters have left us feeling the weight of these unprecedented times. Once we have had enough, it is easy to turn off the TV or log off social media, but then what can we do next?.... The economic stress, the cruel treatment of immigrants, and ongoing political unrest take its regular toll on all of us. It is no longer easy to turn a blind eye to the marginalized communities who are receiving the brunt of this treatment….

When we are faced with this harsh reality… do we retreat into fear? Do we begin to see our neighbors as threats rather than children of God? Do we allow anxiety and fear to harden our hearts, or does it push us toward compassion? How can we truly love our neighbors when they are blamed for all the distresses in American society? How can we practice what is preached in the Bible when people are punished with impunity for stepping in when it’s needed the most? At what point does one’s own self-preservation become sinful indifference? Who do we believe when fear is much louder than the truth?.... What does it say about our society when mercy itself becomes dangerous?.... Now is the time for us to join hands and recognize our commonalities rather than our differences…. Who truly benefits when fear replaces love?

In his January 28 message, Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, acknowledged that "many people today feel powerless in the face of violence, injustice and social unrest.”

"To those who feel this way, I wish to say clearly: your faithfulness matters. Your prayers matter. Your acts of love and works of justice matter," he said. Coakley said he was "deeply grateful for the countless ways Catholics and all people of good will continue to serve one another and work for peace and justice. "Whether feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, caring for the sick, accompanying the lonely, visiting the imprisoned, or striving daily to love their neighbors, no work of mercy or act of justice is ever wasted in the eyes of God," said Coakley.

"While proper laws must be respected, works of mercy, peacefully assembling and caring for those in your community are signs of hope, and they build peace more surely than anger or despair ever could," he said. Referencing Matthew 10:42, he added, "Christ reminds us that even 'a single cup of cold water' given in his name will not go unrewarded." (Gina Christian, National Catholic Reporter, 1/28/26)

Comments on this column may be directed to the Social Justice Committee at socialjustice@holycrossphl.org. Click here for column archive.