Throughout history—and still to this day—there are individuals who have been willing to speak out, challenge situations, and try to help make a change. Sometimes taking that stance meant saying yes to something that would help elicit change. Other times these individuals’ resistance came in the form of saying no to what they saw as an injustice.
They came from different eras and different locations. Nelson Mandela fought in South Africa, Rosa Parks in Alabama, and Sister Dorothy Stang in Brazil. This month, in the article “Two New Movies That Matter: Harriet & A Hidden Life,” Sister Rose Pacatte, FSP, highlights two current films that tell the stories of Harriet Tubman and Franz Jägerstätter. Both of these individuals put their lives on the line for the greater good. Tubman helped slaves escape to the North via the Underground Railroad. Jägerstätter was a conscientious objector during World War II and was sentenced to death and executed.
During this season of giving thanks, we would do well to express our gratitude for the many people who have stepped up to help make the world a little better. Perhaps one of the best ways to do that is to emulate them. We don’t have to be saints to help change the world. We can make a difference just one act at a time.
