Passivity

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”

“If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”

Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Passivity and neutrality are the biggest obstacles to engaging real pressing issues from a faith perspective.  Archbishop Tutu knew this very well from his time in South Africa working toward equality for those whom a system failed to see as equals. We are presented with opportunities to act and to advocate for those on the margins and against systems that create a world of inequality.  The Gospel demands that we take inventory of our choices and our indecisions.  Perhaps this Lent we can imagine the times where we ignored the mouse being stepped on by the elephant or places where we remained neutral.  Why? What prevents us from responding, advocating, or speaking up?