THE VIOLENCE THAT BEGOT PEACE

One of the finest men I have ever met is Gordon Lathrop, professor of liturgy at the Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia. He says that sometimes we deliberately misname some realities of Christian faith. For example, we refer to the eucharist as sacrifice, though we do not offer up animals or persons.

Early Israelite religion offered sacrifices to God to seal the covenant. Abraham offered animal sacrifices. He was willing to offer his son, Isaac, in sacrifice until God stayed his hand. Later Israelite religion offered animals in the Jerusalem temple. Only after returning from exile did Israel learn to offer their hearts and a life of justice and tender love.

We believe that we are saved by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Christian reflection on this brutal, ignominious death presented Jesus as the unblemished lamb of God, the eternal high priest, the victim who brought salvation. For centuries the eucharist is described as a sacrifice. Yet, no animal or person is sacrificed on our altar tables. The Christian sacrifice is incruente, i.e., unbloody.

The eucharist is enacted as memorial of the passion of Jesus. His violent death begot peace. His sacrifice challenges the church to live nonviolently, to be advocates for those who are victimized. One practical consequence is that each congregation needs to combat domestic violence against women. Physical and sexual violence against women is a serious problem. Domestic violence is the most common form of violence in our society and the least reported crime.

Abuse "is any kind of behavior that one person uses to control another through fear and intimidation. It includes emotional and psychological abuse, battering, and sexual assault...it occurs in families from every ethnic, economic, religious, and educational background (U.S. Bishops, When I Call For Help, p. 3-4)" Abused women are often silent and terribly afraid. It is staggering to realize that one women in four will be sexually abused in her lifetime.

Men who abuse think that they have a right to do so, that violence will dissipate tension and solve problems. Violence is sometimes seen as a "way for people to respond to threatening situations (p. 4)." The abusive male is low in self-esteem and feels vulnerable and powerless. Chances are the male was abused during his own childhood. He may dump blame for his abusive behavior on others. The woman feels trapped, isolated, depressed, and alone.

A parish that shares the communion table with Christ crucified has a responsibility to minister nonviolence and aid to abused women and their families. It would help if parish bulletins listed people that women could call and be guaranteed safety. Women need to have resources to set up a safety plan of action before another violent episode occurs. Men who abuse need to know where they can go for help. Nonordained and ordained church ministers need to learn about abuse, preach about it, provide information about domestic violence to couples preparing for marriage, and known resources women can turn to. Educators and catechists need to receive training in how to recognize abuse. Religious texts need to be free of sexual stereotyping. Battering thrives on sexism.

Receiving the Lord whose body was broken for our sake calls us to serve women who are victimized by abuse. No one deserves abuse. All deserve security and safety as signals of salvation.