In the world today, the path of dangerous goodness is a dangerous path because self-ish-ness is not part of the work of discipleship. Those who aspire to be disciples remain centered upon both God and others. Faith for the disciple is never about being the select or the elite; it is built upon hospitality and inclusivity.

How might this dangerous faith look at the world today? Cardinal Claudio Hummes of São Paolo, Brazil, questions if terrorism does not “”have  as one of its ingredients a revolt against an imposed poverty, experienced as practically irreversible in the short and medium term?” The dangerous goodness response, therefore, is that “A servant church must have as its priority solidarity with the poor.” “The faith must express itself in charity and in solidarity, which is the civil form of charity,” Hummes said. “Today more than ever, the church faces this challenge. In fact, effective solidarity with the poor, both individual persons and entire nations, is indispensable for the construction of peace. Solidarity corrects injustices, reestablishes the fundamental rights of persons and of nations, overcomes poverty and even resists the revolt that injustice provokes, eliminating the violence that is born with revolt and constructing peace.” (quote source) Our response to terrorism should be to turn the other cheek and be charitable and in solidarity with those who may harm us.

For the young person, the challenges of discipleship can certainly be a hard but worthy adventure.