The Society of Jesus
in Belize
Structural Sin
Preparing to Pray
1. Take three deep breaths, allowing yourself to be fully present.
2. Speak to the Lord, telling him that you are dedicating the next fifteen minutes to be with Him.
3. Ask for the grace you desire:
I ask God that I may feel deep sorrow and pain for the power of sin at work in the world.
4. Consider the following points:
When personal human sinfulness becomes enshrined in our cultures and institutions, we call it “structural sin.” Now, more than perhaps any other time in history, we’re aware of structures of sin: systemic racism, sexism, violence against the innocent, degradation of the natural environment, and the list goes on. What structures of sin do you notice in your community? What desires well up in your heart in response to becoming aware of these sins? Talk to Jesus about these desires. Listen to his response.
Prayer
Scripture:
Mark 3:1-6 Jesus heals the man with a withered hand. “Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart...”
Use Ignatian Contemplation to be with Jesus in the Temple. As you allow the scene to play out in your imagination, pay close attention to Jesus' face and the tone of his voice. Also pay attention to the look on the face of the man with the withered hand.
Review your prayer
Take a few minutes to reflect on and journal about the following:
What structures of sin do you see in the world? How have they impacted you personally? How do you see them impacting others?
... or else write down any moments of consolation or desolation you encountered in your prayer.
Speak with the Lord, as one friend to another, about whatever came up in your prayer.
End with an Our Father or a Hail Mary.