Loretto Advocacy: ‘Because the Gospel Urges Us’

Loretto’s Constitutions give us the foundational words for the work of Loretto in today’s world. Article 36 is straightforward and clear: “We work for justice and act for peace because the Gospel urges us.”

“Because the Gospel urges us.” It is impossible to restrict the Gospel. It has touched humankind since the Word became flesh. The Gospel is God’s Good News to all, not just the so-called privileged of this world. Every Christian must partner with God to ensure all people are given the opportunity to exercise their freedom to choose right in every segment of their lives, be it personally, socially, politically and spiritually. God has chosen us all to join in this work of justice, to look for the places where the people of God are hurting and respond.

In his writing, former Jesuit leader the Rev. Pedro Arrupe tells us that the foundation of our vocation is to fall in love with God. Father Arrupe’s  teaching about love is the practical way of living in Christ: “What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, what you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”

We are called to fall in love. This is God’s call to every Christian. It is the work of the Gospel and the reason why Loretto exists.

Look at the word “advocacy.” Its root — “vocare” —is closely related to the word  “vocation,” or divine calling. These works of justice of ours are our vocation at its most faithful practice. We respond to the needs of people who are poor, we support actions to reverse harmful climate change and restore a healthy climate, we work for the abolishment of nuclear weapons, we support efforts against human trafficking, we hear the cries of our neighbors at the border. We do this work “because the Gospel urges us.” Check out Loretto’s Facebook offerings this week and read the stories of Loretto’s advocacy work. Join us. Pray with us for these important, human needs. You will fall in love, too.