Bending Toward Justice

“The arc of the moral universe may bend toward justice, but it doesn’t bend on its own.” – Barack Obama 

Over the past few months, I have been pondering Barack Obama’s take on Martin Luther King Jr.’s quote about the arc of the moral universe. Specifically the two questions: what does justice look like in our modern world and more importantly, how do we obtain this justice? 

In response to the first question, I often find it easier to reflect on the injustices of the world today. In cities across the U.S., I see National Guard deployments, even when the government shutdown prohibited many workers from doing their jobs and getting the pay they so desperately rely on. I see our Latino brothers and sisters being arrested by ICE and some being deported from the U.S., leaving families torn apart. I see children dying in Gaza from starvation that could be alleviated by humanitarian aid that hasn’t been let into the area. In DC, I witness the journeys of the McKenna men who are struggling with homelessness, poverty, leaving incarceration, and many other struggles that challenge their day to day. 

Witnessing all of these injustices, I find it hard to not dwell on the enormity of it all. However, one must go beyond the dwelling in order to ask the next question, how do we obtain justice? 

In order to bend the arc, we must first understand that we have the power to bend the arc, even in the smallest of ways, which requires us to find hope in despair. Hope often seems allusive, but if one thinks hard enough, there is so much hope around. The McKenna men provide me so much hope when despite being faced with some difficult circumstances, they still have so much joy, faith in God, and yearning for more. The students we visit across the DMV area want a peace that involves sharing toys and pizza for all. At the Casa, I live with inspirational young leaders who want more for this world and use their unique gifts to shape the world of their dreams to make it a reality. 

From our place of hope, we can move forward to action. Action can take so many forms. DCSC had the opportunity to advocate on Capitol Hill as part of the Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference. During our visits, we were advocating for our immigrant brothers and sisters and also all who live in the Holy Land. We called for the dignity of these two groups to be recognized and upheld just as God wants. 

Action can also occur on a very personal level. For Catholics, every time we receive the Eucharist, we are fed. As those who have been called and chosen, we are called by God to feed others with peace and love. In my life, this ministry takes many different forms. At LFFP, I spread the tools of peace and work to cultivate peace by showing up for others, whether that’s at the Father McKenna Center, an elementary school, or with the Peace Team. I also find so much love shown through and for others as trust is shared and relationships are built. At the Casa, I experience so much love for and from my community as we all grow, discern, serve, and live during this year.

The arc of the universe bends toward justice, but it’s our call to bend the arc, with practices of hope, action, love, and peace.

Question for Reflection: How can you “bend the arc toward justice” in your day-to-day life?