Gather around the Eucharist to fight racism

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Father Art Cavitt

At a recent JustFaith ministry session at St. Gabriel the Archangel School in south St. Louis, parishioners from several south city parishes discussed the difficult topic of racism.

I was the guest speaker, but I chose not to address the topic with a traditional keynote presentation. Rather, I extended introduction and then sought dialogue. I was the sole African-American in the room, yet I
was inspired by the reciprocal, open expressiveness on a potentially explosive topic.

We discussed our usual use of the word racism, synonymous for prejudice, bias, discrimination and racial stereotyping. I talked about my dad's experiences being in the segregated army in World War II and the subsequent employment discrimination that he faced when he was honorably discharged. I told of a couple of incidences in recent years when I have been the object of racial profiling.

The group was captivated when we reflected on Fannie Lou Hammer and the people of faith who were involved on the journey to achieve justice during the civil rights era. But racism did not end with that time, and it remains a topic that is ripe with bitter memory and present day experiences for many of us.

The group discussed what we could do to respond to modern-day racism. One response was superbly Catholic: Continue to gather together on common ground around the Eucharist, with us recognizing our true selves around the eucharistic table. Through the instant of our conception, we have been individually and uniquely gifted with dignity by our God. When we stand on common ground, we are in solidarity with others who claim their existence in the Body of Christ.

The Catholic tradition has been graced with a history of tremendous thinkers, movers and shakers. Among them is the great St. Augustine of Hippo, who wrote about receiving the one bread, one body: "Be what you see. Receive what you are" (Sermon 272). When we Eucharistic people are mindful of being at least some semblance of what we are receiving, it is proactively transformative. We are compelled to affect our world in ways that Christ taught us.

With continual eucharistic nourishing, in the presence of other eucharistic people, we want others to be fed temporally and spiritually, as Christ did. We become involved in movements toward promoting justice and eradicating poverty. We become advocates for education so that people can have better means to recognize their innate dignity as impetus to see the dignity of others. Eucharistic people contribute to the uplifting of the quality of life, hoping to close the gap of disparity for so many people in our country and other parts of the world.

When we recognize our true selves, reaching out and touching somebody eludes the cliché. It becomes live action. We break free of fears to confront the ills that continue to plague us. Yes, it is still about racism, but it is also about classism and sexism. It is about xenophobia, homophobia and Christianophobia, too.

For 36 years, this archdiocese has been mindful of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on or around his birthday, through our celebration of Jesus Christ at the eucharistic table. Please join us at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis and Boland Hall, where the human spirit will be encouraged to break free of "isms" and "phobias" that enslave us.

Father Cavitt is director of the St. Charles Lwanga Center and on the staff of Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory High School, both in St. Louis.

He resides at St. Elizabeth Mother of John the Baptist Parish in St. Louis. The St. Charles Lwanga Center's mission is to promote Christian spiritual formation and leadership development within the African-American Catholic community and for those who collaborate with them.

The Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis honoring the birth and legacy of Dr. King is at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15.

Father Cavitt is executive director of the St. Charles Lwanga Center.