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<\/a>Why are we talking about Systemic Change or rather what structures do we want to change? And why? Do we really want that any structure be changed?<\/p>\nIn \u00a0the \u00a0first \u00a0place, \u00a0let\u2019s see some important elements: structure is a set of essential elements of certain reality; it is that which gives support.<\/p>\n
For example, many living beings have the skeleton, houses have the foun- dation and columns. Would it be possible to move in the structural elements with- out harming the entire thing? Intervening in some elements without putting at risk the structures is called Conjunctural Change. This happens often. It is a varnish that goes into a wood mobile; it is the renovation of a house, etc.<\/p>\n
Systemic Change is something radical. It does what it says:<\/h3>\n\n- T<\/b>h<\/b>e prophet Jeremiah: <\/b>\u201c<\/i>T<\/i>his day I set you over nations and over kingdoms, to root up and to tear down, to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant\u201d <\/i>(Jr 1: 10).<\/li>\n
- S<\/b>aint Paul in the letter to the Romans: <\/b>\u201c<\/i>Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what <\/i>is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect\u201d <\/i>(Rm 12:2).<\/li>\n
- S<\/b>aint Paul in the letter to the Ephesians: <\/b>\u201c<\/i>F<\/i>or our struggle is not with flesh <\/i>and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of <\/i>this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens\u201d <\/i>(Ep 6:12).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nSystemic Change is something radical. It is what it says:<\/h3>\n\n- Saint Vincent de Paul: <\/b>\u201c<\/i>I<\/i>f there are any among us who think they are in the Mission to evangelize poor people but not to alleviate their sufferings, to take care of their spiritual needs but not their temporal ones, I reply that we have to <\/i>help them and have them assisted in every way, by us and by others\u201d <\/i>(SV XII, 77-78).<\/li>\n
- F<\/b>rederic Ozanam: <\/b>\u201c<\/i>T<\/i>he problem which divides people today is not a political problem; it is a social one. It is a matter of knowing which will get the upper hand, the spirit of selfish-ness or the spirit of sacrifice; whether society will go <\/i>for ever-increasing enjoyment and profit, or for everyone devoting themselves to the common good … Many people have too much and still want more. Others do not have enough, or do not have anything at all, and they want to take by force what is not being given to them. A war is threatening between these two groups. On one side, the power of wealth, on the other the force of desperation. We must get in between these two groups, at least to reduce the impact if we cannot stop it.\u201d<\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
III. Sending on mission<\/h2>\n
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<\/a>The work developed by followers of Jesus Christ, in the footsteps of Saint Vincent de Paul, cannot be just a practice, but it has to be praxis. What does it mean? It means that our ac- tion is a fruit of our faith; the fruit of our meeting with Je- sus Christ Liberator and with the poor that are social sub- jects. Our practice is a result of a reflection about the poverty causes that destroy the human dignity and the searching of consistent structures able to support new relationships between people which are grounded in love, justice, equality and fraternity.<\/p>\n\n- How often do we use expressions that reinforce the structures that we wish to destroy and don\u2019t help to build the new man, the new woman and the new so- ciety we desire so much?<\/li>\n
- What personal and\/or common praxis can we take to strengthen the Systemic Change that the Vincentian Family has proposed since 2007?<\/li>\n
- Do you and your group know any of the Vincentian Family Projects which have promoted the Systemic Change? What can you and your group do to strengthen and expand this project?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
IV. Celebrate: Prayer for Discernment<\/b><\/span>1<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/b><\/h2>\nL<\/i>ord, I kneel not only on the Bible.
\nI bow to the daily newspaper
\nto be sure to look at what we have done
\nwith your world, to your Church.
\nConfused in the face of such possibilities,
\nall looking good, pleasing and perfect,
\nI want to be guided only by your will, but how?<\/i><\/p>\n
Help me to remain attentive.
\nHelp me to always contemplate you
\nwhile I go into the field of action.<\/i><\/p>\n
Help me to expose the error, especially that I might shelter.
\nHelp me to realize the manipulation
\nespecially of those who control the powers.<\/i><\/p>\n
Understanding the world is too difficult for me,
\nbut I have already chosen to stay away from the circle of resignation.
\nSo that Your Holy Spirit enlighten me so I can see what you want,
\njudge how you teach and act as you need.<\/i><\/p>\n
L<\/i>ord, I kneel not only on the Bible. Help me to remain attentive. Help me to expose the error, especially that I might shelter. Understanding the world is too difficult for me,<\/a><\/p>\nSystemic Change is something radical. It is what it says:<\/h3>\n
\n
III. Sending on mission<\/h2>\n
<\/a>The work developed by followers of Jesus Christ, in the footsteps of Saint Vincent de Paul, cannot be just a practice, but it has to be praxis. What does it mean? It means that our ac- tion is a fruit of our faith; the fruit of our meeting with Je- sus Christ Liberator and with the poor that are social sub- jects. Our practice is a result of a reflection about the poverty causes that destroy the human dignity and the searching of consistent structures able to support new relationships between people which are grounded in love, justice, equality and fraternity.<\/p>\n\n
IV. Celebrate: Prayer for Discernment<\/b><\/span>1<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n
\nI bow to the daily newspaper
\nto be sure to look at what we have done
\nwith your world, to your Church.
\nConfused in the face of such possibilities,
\nall looking good, pleasing and perfect,
\nI want to be guided only by your will, but how?<\/i><\/p>\n
\nHelp me to always contemplate you
\nwhile I go into the field of action.<\/i><\/p>\n
\nHelp me to realize the manipulation
\nespecially of those who control the powers.<\/i><\/p>\n
\nbut I have already chosen to stay away from the circle of resignation.
\nSo that Your Holy Spirit enlighten me so I can see what you want,
\njudge how you teach and act as you need.<\/i><\/p>\n