Witnessing Faith

A note card taped to the back of my office door features a short, Haitian proverb:

Roughly translated, the proverb states "What the eye doesn't see, can't move the heart." The saying reminds us of the important role experience plays in shaping how we see the world and respond to it. Clearly, new experiences enable new understandings. And new understandings prompt new involvements. While this is true with most of life, it is particularly true in the area of justice and service.

A first step in moving people to action on behalf of others, therefore, frequently involves providing them with new experiences—experiences that help them to see and hear, taste and touch the world from the perspective of individuals and families who seem "different" from them or who are clearly "in need." These new experiences can be as simple as visiting a new ethnic restaurant in town, taking part in an international celebration sponsored by a local church or community organization, volunteering to work side-by-side with the eventual owners of a new Habitat home, or preparing and serving a meal or special dessert at a local homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Whatever the experience, if it's entered into with an open heart and mind, it raises questions that prompt new learnings—and the learnings open the door to new ways of being involved around the issue. When social problems take on a human face, they change us, and they challenge us, in turn, to change the way things are in the world.

During their high school years, young people are hungry for new experiences, and eager to understand how the world "works." They get rightly upset when they see others hurting, and are strong and idealistic enough to think that their actions can make a difference in the lives of people in need. When their willingness to serve is coupled with opportunities to learn why the problems exist and to reflect together on scripture and the Church teachings on justice, everyone benefits!

For the past five years, I've served as National Coordinator for Young Neighbors in Action. Young Neighbors takes the Catholic vision of justice and peace seriously and shares that vision with teams of high school youth and adults from parishes and schools around the U.S. This summer, Young Neighbors will involve 1800+ participants at sites ranging from Washington, DC to Washington State, and from the Great Lakes to the Rio Grande. In addition to sharing their time with church and social agencies (50,000 hours or more this summer!), teams will take time each day to learn about the issues, reflect on Scripture and Church social teaching, pray and celebrate Eucharist, meet new friends, and generally have a great time together. Young Neighbors and programs like it witness to what happens when people's eyes are opened to new experiences: hands touch, hearts change, and God's kingdom comes a step closer to becoming a reality in our lives.

This month's guest columnist: Dr. Thomas Bright is Justice Services Coordinator for the Center for Ministry Development and National Coordinator of Young Neighbors in Action. He is a frequent presenter at national and regional ministry conferences, and the author of numerous justice articles and resources.

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