As humorously pithy as Einstein’s observation (right) is, the converse is also true; merely, developing a perspective of pity for those oppressed by injustice does not solve societal problems. Another path is to avoid name calling while developing a view of society in which we must participate, even at some personal cost. We can choose civility.

The Catholic Church has long urged “justice” as a faith principle, and Catholic Charities is working to identify what that means in an uncivil society. Ponder the following:

â–º Research shows some benefit to being born first in a family or being born early in a calendar year. Did those early arrivals deserve that place in a family or birth order? Is it justice that ascending to a throne is by accident of birth order; or being the oldest (therefore the biggest, fastest, strongest) on an athletic team because eligibility was determined by a calendar cut-off?

â–º How can the injustice of human trafficking continue in modern society?

â–º Is it justice that a child brought into a dysfunctional household faces extraordinary obstacles to success or even survival?

â–º Where is “justice” when a jury convicts an innocent person, or frees a guilty person?

â–º Why do bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to bad people?

In Penny Wiegert’s column the challenge is being raised to choose civility. What a concept!

Will an epidemic of oral bleeding break out as combative individuals bite their tongues instead of biting off the heads of someone with whom they disagree? Will there be a flood of patients to eye care facilities asking to be fitted for rose-colored glasses?

As we enter the season of Lent, Choosing Civility is as active as embracing the corporal and spiritual Works of Mercy. Name-calling, rumor mongering, judgment-passing, and character-assassination are out. Instead, we can choose civility. We can resist the urge to ascribe ill-intent to those stupid, ignorant, uninformed ignoramuses individuals who can’t see the forest for the tress, ignore reality, and live in a fake news world hold different opinions or beliefs.

We can defend in the name of justice and mercy the value of personal and political beliefs, at least ascribing sincerity if not ultimate validity to different points of view.

To Choose Civility for our Lenten practice may be more difficult than giving up sweets, alcohol, or coffee. Freeing ourselves to advocate for justice by acknowledging the worth of others’ opinions, or even their very worth as a human being, can result. There are daily opportunities to criticize others which means there are just as many chances to Choose Civility. If our “give ups” this Lent include cruel judgmentalism, and our “to do’s” include Choosing Civility, the Easter celebration can include saving the rose-colored glasses for sunny summer days and unclenching our jaws so we can seek justice freely, clearly, and respectfully.