Winds buffet poor souls to and fro, whipping them out of control as they cling to one another in a desperate attempt to avoid contact with any of the other people hurtling through the storm. Believe it or not, this is not an artistic description of our hearts and minds during the last three months; it’s Dante’s imaginative rendering of the first circle of hell. Yet after the past several months, it sounds relatable.
The events of the past weeks call us to read, study and reflect on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ 2018 pastoral letter, “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love – A Pastoral Letter Against Racism.” This document gives us guidance for further reflection, understanding and action as we respond to the murder of George Floyd, the ensuing protests, and the underlying racism in our country.