Fr. Brian McCormick tells us, "YOU are the world," that all people are One, and what each of us does affects the whole. He believes that, with God, we "co-create" the world we live in and, hence, our place in eternity. Doesn't that spark the, perhaps secret, hope, we all have for a world without poverty and a meaningful place for ourselves in eternity?
Poverty Vs. the Oneness of Humanity
This is the story of a how a remarkable man became a teacher and practitioner of how to live together as brothers and sisters on this planet of 8 billion people (also noted by Pope Benedict XVI - World Peace Day 2009, and Pope Francis - Encyclical, Laudato Si, In Care of Our Common Home).
Fr. Brian McCormick charged through life formulating and promoting soul-searching ideas about how society works and how it needs to be changed with regard to the poor. The title of this book harks back to the 1985 hit single written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie to raise money for famine in Africa, "We Are the World." This describes so well Father's belief that that we are all one and that each person's actions affect the whole. In fact, he believes that, with God, we co-create the world we live in and, hence, our place in eternity. He reminds us, "You are not just you. You are the world."
Fr. McCormick has always been forceful about what the Church's role is and should be in forming a world conscience. His ideas are controversial, but it cannot be denied that his passionate beliefs and his love for God and humankind shine through to all.
With this book he is specifically interested in motivating people to recognize the inter-relatedness of all actions and to figure out how to live together equitably, and without poverty on our ever-changing planet. He tells us: Our Holy Father reminds us that all that occurs on this planet is inter-related, and we must face and take responsibility for our man-made dilemmas - our man-made technology, economics, politics, consumerism, and commercialism.
Simultaneously and equally important, we must see the grave human tragedy that over 2 billion of our brothers and sisters are forced to live in subhuman abject poverty. This planet was created to be the home for all of us, given for us by God our Father, saved by His Son, and blessed with His Holy Spirit. In the redemptive presence of the Risen Lord, entrusted to all of us, is the creative joyful human task to make this oneness happen.
With the Good Shepherd, present with His entrusted co-shepherds, the total flock can redemptively break down the walls of enmity that separate us. We can gather together and be mutually pastured in His great flock in this one world, to be co-creators with God in the healing of the earth and the Oneness of peoples. Jesus is calling us to enhance this creative call, not with our lips, but with our hearts!
Fr. McCormick's ideas on how to make this "Oneness" a reality, and his life journey that formed the man and his ideas, take us on a thought-provoking path in this book. His meditations give direct insight into his unique way of thinking and facing the world.
We hope this provides a basis for thought and discussion regarding how the Church and everyday people might journey together to deal with society's systemic inequities to make a better world where all recognize the Oneness we share.
The Study Guide at the end of this book asks such questions as,
- "Can the idea of co-creation be reconciled with traditional beliefs about heaven and hell?"
- "Is our culture based on greed and self-centeredness, making for a polarized society of Haves and Have Nots - a permanent underclass?
