Awakening from the Sleep

of Inhumanity

From Sobrinos The Principle of Mercy: Taking

the Crucified People from the Cross
Jon Sobrino, S.J.
Sleep of Inhumanity

pagkatulog saan?
 Sobrinos experience and reflection

. . . I witnessed appalling poverty, but even though I

saw it with my eyes, I did not really see it; thus that
poverty had nothing to say to me for my own life as a
young Jesuit and as a human being. It did not even
cross my mind that I might learn something from
the poor.

journeying WITH accompanying

 Sobrinos experience and reflection

But I did come to understand that it was absurd to go

about trying to Rahnerize or Moltmannize the people
of El Salvador. If there was something positive I culd
bring from the perspective of my studies, the task
would have to be reverse: It at all possible, we needed
to Salvadorize Rahner and Moltmann.

contextualization inculturation
 Sobrinos experience and reflection

WHO is the example of this journeying with, going

into the context and culture?

Word Made
Flesh
Sobrinos Discovery of Truth
on:

Human Beings

God
 The world is one gigantic cross for
millions of innocent people who die at
the hands of executioners.
 The world is one gigantic cross for millions of
innocent people who die at the hands of
executioners.

Why gigantic cross?

- Suffering of an entire crucified peoples

Crucified WHO/WHAT and WHY?

- Esp. the collective suffering from the sin of the

world (personal sin and social/structural sin)
 The world is one gigantic cross for millions of
innocent people who die at the hands of
executioners.

Innocent people?
- Pertains to the worlds poor
- The worlds poor are practically of no
consequence to anyone not to the people
who live in abundance or to the people who
have any kind of power.
- Why innocent?
 The world is one gigantic cross for millions of
innocent people who die at the hands of
executioners.

Die of what? From what?

- SIN. What Sin?
- Esp. from Social / Structural Sin. Like what?

Kind of Death?
- Slow: at the hands of structures of injustice
* the poor from physical death, and all of us from
moral death (indifference, apathy, hopelessness)
- Swift and violent: persecution when standing
up and fighting for social justice. Like who?
 The world is one gigantic cross for millions of
innocent people who die at the hands of
executioners.
Executioners?
- Obviously, the perpetrators of injustices.

But how about us?

- People do not want to acknowledge or face
up to the reality of a crucified world, and
even less do we want to ask ourselves what is
our share of responsibility for such a world.
What is our tendency in the face of a crucified world?
 The world is one gigantic cross for millions of
innocent people who die at the hands of
executioners.
Executioners:
But how about us?

- It is surprising that (we) can know so much

and yet ignore what is so fundamental about
the world in which we live.
It is also frustrating, because the problem is
not a lack of means by which to learn the
truth.
 The world is one gigantic cross for millions of
innocent people who die at the hands of
executioners.
Executioners:
But how about us?
- We have enough knowledge to place a man on
the moon or Mars, but we sometimes do not
even know how many human beings share this
planet, much less how many of them die every
year from hunger

What is our tendency in the face of a crucified world?

. . . We have rediscovered how God
looks at Gods crucified creation.
 . . . We have rediscovered how God looks at
Gods crucified creation.

- The Lord saw that the wickedness of humankind was

great in the earth. And the Lord was sorry that he
had made humankind on the earth, and it grieved
him to his heart. (Genesis 6: 5-6)

- grieved him to his heart

* looks with mercy, compassion
* God looks see with His heart compassion
(companionship and a passion/urge to take action)
* loving which exposes oneself to vulnerability
 . . . We have rediscovered how God looks at
Gods crucified creation.

- What are Scriptural accounts of God looking with

mercy, compassion, love?

- How do we look at the crucified creation around us?

- Crucified creation pertains to??

Romans 8: 22 We know that all creation is groaning in
labor pains even until now. (even the world)
 . . . We have rediscovered how God looks at
Gods crucified creation.

- What do we see in Gods crucified creation?

POVERTY, GENEROSITY,
INJUSTICE, JUSTICE,
HOPELESSNESS HOPE

(SIN) (GRACE)
- Gods self-gift
Love
 . . . We have rediscovered how God looks at
Gods crucified creation.

We carry the saving cross through

The roads of the world.
Through the alleys of poverty and misery.

Marching to a dawning day to freedom and victory,

To Gods life and endless glory.
. . . We have also learned to ask ourselves
what is truly human about human beings.
 . . . We have also learned to ask ourselves what is
truly human about human beings.

- We continue to suppose that we know what it is to

be human and that everyone else must be like us in
order to become human.

* Feeling like a Prometheus:

overvaluing the capacity to achieve, to
struggle and emerge victorious unneedful
of anything or anyone else, including GRACE.
 . . . We have also learned to ask ourselves what is
truly human about human beings.

Nowadays, everyone wants to be successful. Success is the goal

of life. You need to be an achiever. And the more you achieve
your self-worth goes higher Everything is measured according
to achievement, success.

To be successful you dont tolerate failure. The greatest sin of

our time is to say, I have failed. And its a no-no to say I cannot
do it.
Catechesis for the Youth by Cardinal Tagle
World Youth Day
Krakow, Poland, 29 July 2016
 . . . We have also learned to ask ourselves what is
truly human about human beings.

So I can be a self-made human being. And it is an insult to me

to say [that] somebody made me who I am. So I protect myself,
but Im actually protecting my pride. I dont need anyone I
deny my wounds, I deny my being lost. It is embarrassing, I will
lose my dignity. So leave my alone, I will do it my way.

That person will not allow anyone even God to touch his
heart or her heart for it is an insult.

Modern people, said the cardinal, are all victims of this

mistaken notion of human dignity, of human worth.
. . . We have also learned to ask ourselves what is
truly human about human beings.

In being At times, may lead

HUMAN to
DEHUMANIZATION
(where
measure is (of ourselves & of
success & our fellow)
achievements)
 . . . We have also learned to ask ourselves what is
truly human about human beings.

- What then is being human?

* Created in the image and likeness of God Genesis

1:27
* The image? LOVE. God is love.

* God created us out of the abundance of His love.

* Being human, therefore, is embodying love.

 . . . We have also learned to ask ourselves what is
truly human about human beings.

- What then is being human?

* Beatitudes of Jesus Luke 6: 20-26

* Good Samaritan Luke 10: 29-37

 . . . We have also learned to ask ourselves what is
truly human about human beings.

From the perspective of the poor, we have rediscovered

the need for a new kind of (humane) civilization:

* civilization of poverty - impossible

or austerity abundance for all

* civilization of work - capital

* community - individual
 . . . We have also learned to ask ourselves what is
truly human about human beings.

From the perspective of the poor, we have rediscovered

the need for a new kind of (humane) civilization:

* transcendent values - crass pragmatism

* celebration - mere diversion
* hope - calculated optimism
* faith - positivism
 . . . We have also learned to ask ourselves what is
truly human about human beings.

- What then is being human?

* God created us out of the abundance of His love.
Being human, therefore, is embodying love.

* To come to know God, to hold and keep faith in

God is the ultimate mystery of the human being.
Deepest longing: belongingness, identity
rooted from a relationship and an
experience of being loved first
 . . . God on the cross is as impotent
as the victims themselves,
and such impotency is
Gods way of being in
solidarity with those victims.

. . . this true God is at war

with other gods.
Misericordiae Vultus. BULL OF INDICTION OF THE
EXTRAORDINARY JUBILEE OF MERCY.
Given by Pope Francis in Rome, at Saint Peters, on 11 April, the Vigil of the Second
Sunday of Easter, or the Sunday of Divine Mercy, in the year of our Lord 2015, the
third of my Pontificate.
6. It is proper to God to exercise mercy, and he manifests his
omnipotence particularly in this way.[5]

Saint Thomas Aquinas words show that Gods mercy, rather

than a sign of weakness, is the mark of his
omnipotence.
For this reason the liturgy, in one of its most ancient collects,
has us pray: O God, who reveal your power above all in your
mercy and forgiveness[6]
Throughout the history of humanity, God will always be the One
who is present, close, provident, holy, and merciful.
. . . this true God is at war with other gods.

The Beatitudes / Sermon on the Plain

Luke 6: 20-26
. . . this true God is at war with other gods.

Sermon on the Plain.

20* And raising his eyes toward his disciples he said:

Blessed are you who are poor,*
for the kingdom of God is yours.

21 Blessed are you who are now hungry,

for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who are now weeping,
for you will laugh.l
. . . this true God is at war with other gods.

Sermon on the Plain.

22 Blessed are you when people hate you,

and when they exclude and insult you,
and denounce your name as evil
on account of the Son of Man.m

23 Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold,

your reward will be great in heaven. For their ancestors
treated the prophets in the same way.n
. . . this true God is at war with other gods.
Sermon on the Plain.

24 But woe to you who are rich,

for you have received your consolation.o

25 But woe to you who are filled now,

for you will be hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will grieve and weep.p

26 Woe to you when all speak well of you,

for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.
. . . this true God is at war with other gods.

The Beatitudes (Sermon on the Plain) take the

accepted standards and turn them upside down.

What then is the key to this? In verse 24, have.

The word Jesus used for have is the word used for
receiving payment in full of an account.

If you set your heart and bend your whole energies

to obtain the things which the world values, you will get
them BUT THAT IS ALL YOU WILL EVER GET.
. . . this true God is at war with other gods.

What then is the key to this?

If you set your heart and bend your whole energies
to be utterly loyal to God ad true to Christ, you will run into
all kinds of trouble;

You may by the worlds standards look unhappy, but much

of your payment is still to come; and it will be joy eternal.
. . . this true God is at war with other gods.

The Challenge:
Will you be happy in the worlds way, or in Christs way?

I like getting into hot water. It keeps you clean.

G.K. Chesterton
. . . this true God is at war with other gods.

From the perspective of the poor, we have rediscovered

the need for a new kind of (humane) civilization:
* civilization of poverty - impossible
or austerity abundance for all

* civilization of work - capital

* community - individual
. . . this true God is at war with other gods.

From the perspective of the poor, we have rediscovered

the need for a new kind of (humane) civilization:

* transcendent values - crass pragmatism

* celebration - mere diversion

* hope - calculated optimism

* faith - positivism
. . . We have rediscovered that the faithful
response to this world of victims is the
constant exercise of mercy.
. . . We have rediscovered that the faithful response
to this world of victims is the constant
exercise of mercy.

WORKS OF MERCY

Corporal Spiritual
 CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY
(kawanggawang pangkatawan)

1. Feed the hungry (pakainin ang nagugutom)

2. Give drink to the thirsty (painumin ang nauuhaw)

3. Clothe the naked (paramtan ang walang maisuot)

4. Shelter the homeless (patuluyin ang walang

masilungan)
 CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY
(kawanggawang pangkatawan)

5. Visit those in prison (dalawin ang mga

binilanggo)

6. Visit the sick (dalawin ang mga maysakit)

7. Bury the dead (ilibing ang mga namatay)

 SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY
(kawanggawang pangkaluluwa)

1. Instruct the ignorant (turuan ang mga hindi

maalam)

2. Admonish the sinner (bigyang-babala ang mga

makasalanan)

3. Counsel the doubtful (pagpayuhan ang mga

naguguluhan ng isip)

4. Comfort the sorrowful (aliwin ang mga tumatangis)

 SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY
(kawanggawang pangkaluluwa)

5. Bear wrongs patiently (pagtiisan ang mga

pagkakamali)

6. Forgive all injuries (patawarin ang mga nagkasala)

7. Pray for the living and the dead

(ipanalangin ang mga nangabuhay at nangamatay)
. . . We have rediscovered that the faithful response
to this world of victims is the constant
exercise of mercy.

WORKS OF MERCY
- Acting in order to
< MERCY PRINCIPLE
- Basic structure of the
fulfill a commandment response to this
worlds victims
- Making someone elses
pain our very own and
allowing the pain to
move us to respond
The Good Samaritan
Luke 10: 25-37
The Parable of the Good Samaritan.

29 But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,

And who is my neighbor?

30 Jesus replied, A man fell victim to robbers as he went

down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him
and went off leaving him half-dead.

31 A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he

saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.

32 Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him,

he passed by on the opposite side.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan.

33 But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved

with compassion at the sight.

34 He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his

wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his
own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him.

35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to
the innkeeper with the instruction,

Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given
you, I shall repay you on my way back.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan.

36 Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the

robbers victim?

37 He answered,
The one who treated him with mercy.
Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise.
Jerusalem to Jericho
the traveller
the Jewish priest
the Levite
the Samaritan
the Samaritan
The Greatest Commandment.
25 There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and
said, Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?

26 Jesus said to him, What is written in the law? How do you

read it?

27 He said in reply, You shall love the Lord, your God, with all
your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and
with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.

28 He replied to him, You have answered correctly; do this and

you will live.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan.

29 But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,
And who is my neighbor?
How do you read it?
PHYLACTERIES
 The Good Samaritan

The Point:

1. Who is my neighbor?
(Sino ang aking kapwa?)
The Parable of the Good Samaritan.

36 Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the

robbers victim?

37 He answered,
The one who treated him with mercy.
 The Good Samaritan

The Point:
1. Who is my neighbor?
The one who treated with mercy.
(Ang nakipagKAPWA-TAO)
-- ang huminto upang tumugon at kumilos

Being a neighbor denotes action.

That is -- Mercy in action.
 The Good Samaritan

The Point:

2. Why is the Samaritan identified

as the neighbor?
The Parable of the Good Samaritan.

33 But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was

moved with compassion at the sight.

34 He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his

wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his
own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him.

35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to
the innkeeper with the instruction,

Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given
you, I shall repay you on my way back.
 The Good Samaritan

The Point:
2. Why is the Samaritan identified
as the neighbor?

Because of his compassion.

What is compassion in the

original translation of the Scriptures?
 The Good Samaritan

Compassion
Greek Splagchnizomai in Scriptures

-- to be moved in the inward parts, i.e. to feel compassion;

-- "from splanxna, 'the inward parts,' especially the nobler

entrails the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys; these
gradually came to denote the seat of the affections"

-- sa atin, pamilyar ang mga katagang

hindi ko MASIKMURA yan
 The Good Samaritan

The Point:

3. How or when should I show

mercy/compassion and be
a neighbor?
 The Good Samaritan

3. How should I show mercy/compassion and be a neighbor?

Jewish priest

The Temple duties and

its liturgy meant more to
him than the pain of the
man.
 The Good Samaritan

3. How should I show mercy/compassion and be a neighbor?

Levite
Suspecting of the
wounded man and
would not take risk to
help anyone
 The Good Samaritan

3. How should I show mercy/compassion and be a neighbor?

Samaritan
Who helped . . .
a) The man even
when he has
brought his
trouble on
himself
b) A man of any
. . . and whose help was as wide as the love
nation who is in
of God (even bringing to the inn, returning
need
after some days and paying for it).
 The Good Samaritan

The Point:
1. Who is my neighbor?
Those with Mercy in action.
2. Compassion Sphlagchnizomai
Hindi natin masikmura yan
(pagkagambala)
3. Our motives and ways of showing mercy
Like the priest, Levite or Samaritan?
Mercy: the fundamental law
that dwells in the heart of
every person who looks
sincerely into the eyes of his
brothers and sisters on the
path of life.

Mercy: the bridge that

connects God and man,
opening our hearts to the hope
of being loved forever despite
our sinfulness.

-- Misericordiae Vultus
(Pope Francis)
The Parable of the Good Samaritan.

36 Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the

robbers victim?

37 He answered,
The one who treated him with mercy.

Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise.

. . . We have rediscovered that the faithful response
to this world of victims is the constant
exercise of mercy.

The exercise of mercy is the

measure of freedom.

WHY?
 MERCY PRINCIPLE
Let us reflect on the Mercy Principle through this
poem/prayer (author unknown)

I was hungry
And you formed humanities groups to discuss my
hunger.

I was imprisoned
And you crept off quietly to your church and prayed for
my release.

I was naked
And in your mind you debated the morality of my
appearance.
 MERCY PRINCIPLE
Let us reflect on the Mercy Principle through this
poem/prayer (author unknown)

I was sick
And you knelt and thanked God for your health.

I was homeless
And you preached to me of the spiritual shelter of the
love of God.

I was lonely
And you left me alone to pray for me.
 MERCY PRINCIPLE
Let us reflect on the Mercy Principle through this
poem/prayer (author unknown)

You seem so holy, so close to God

But I am still hungry and lonely and cold

The Point.
Our motives for doing? Affect the extent and depth of
our involvement and response.
Addressing the root causes (see the last line). At
times, militant action (standing up) to battle
social/structural sin.