Worthy of the Call

October 24, 2008

Friday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3

Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? Luke 12:57

Piety

Let us pray: God, we pray for unity in the world which will help each of us live up to the ideals to 1) respect life at all stages and reject a culture of death; 2) find better ways to resolve the inevitable conflicts in our personal life and in the world; 3) address all the threats to human life and dignity that we face; 4) protect the environment left in our stewardship; 5) protect human rights and 6) preserve healthy families. Jesus, help us to be worthy to your call and unite us through the power of loving prayer, study and action to spread peace to each other and to the world. Amen.

Study

Yesterday, Jesus warned about divisiveness. Today, he asks, pleas, even urges us to settle our differences. He gives us the image of two people heading off to court. But rather than putting our fate into the hands of the “law of the land,” instead, Jesus wants us to open our hearts to each other and surrender instead to the “law of love.” This calls us to a leadership marked by obedience, humility and service.

Rather than saying we are right all the time, Jesus asks us to work with patience and love for unity and peace.

Today, the men of the 117^th Cursillo are hearing and reflecting on many topics. But above all, they will experience the gift of prayer. Offer your prayers that the law of love will work in their lives and in the world.

Action

Next week, after exhausting every possible appeal throughout the legal system, Troy Davis has a date with death set by the state of Georgia. Despite mounting claims that he might be innocent of the crime which sends him to the death chamber, the courts have refused to grant him a new trial. Now, a new warrant has been issued for his execution on October 27.

The Catholic bishops have been steadfast in their opposition to the death penalty. Pope Benedict XVI and religious leaders worldwide of supported the cause of Mr. Davis. You can read more about it in this article from the Atlanta Journal and Constitution.

Please write the Georgia Board of Pardon and Paroles and ask them to reconsider their decision and grant clemency. There is a form letter here but it is better if you can do that and then also write and use the postal mail or fax.

Chairman Gale Buckner
State Board of Pardons and Paroles
2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, SE
Suite 458, Balcony Level, East Tower
Atlanta, Georgia 30334-4909
Telephone: (404) 657-9350
Fax: 404-651-6670 and (404)651-8502

Thurbert E. Baker
Office of the Attorney General
40 Capitol Square, SW
Atlanta, Ga 30334
Phone:(404) 656-3300
Fax:(404) 657-8733

Spencer Lawton, Chatham County District Attorney
Chief Assistant District Attorney David Locke
133 Montgomery Street
Savannah, Georgia 31401
Phone: (912) 652-7308
Fax: (912) 652-7328 or (912) 447-5396