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  https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2021/04/02/good-friday-the-price-of-integrity/ He is Risen! On Good Friday, Bryan Massingale reminded us that we are cheaters in the sense of this Holy Week, because we know not only of Jesus’ death, but his resurrection.              This made me think about Mary and how she would have felt on Good Friday. Just as we feel anytime we lose a person close to us, Mary would have felt an immediate sense of grief and pain. And she lost her only son after he himself went through so much pain and suffering. Mary did not have the hopeful promise that we have about Jesus’ resurrection.             This leads me to thinking about those who have lost a family member or close friend due to COVID-19 or other illnesses. How can we possibly find a hopeful promise or peace in that?             It is certainly not an easy answer, and grief is felt and dealt with in many ways. Even finding hope, it takes time to get over loss. Mary was probably still
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  https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2021/04/02/good-friday-the-price-of-integrity/ Reflection on Good Friday The Price of Integrity   The CEO of one of the consulting companies I once worked for was not particularly present over the years to company employees like me who were multiple steps down the corporate “ladder”. But one day he spoke to a group of us that were in training and he told us, “Never lose your integrity.” I will forever respect him for making that statement so I could hear it. Another way I view that statement today, many years later, is to become aware and then stay awake to your true self as a child of God.   Our scriptures say clearly that we are children of God. Wow! You and I and all of us are children of the all-powerful and all-wondrous God!! With our trinity God, there is infinite inclusion, infinite mercy, and infinite forgiveness to go along with infinite goodness. We have been called as God’s children to become our true selves as people like Jesu
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Did Judas Ever Get a Chance at Forgiveness?

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https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2021/03/31/gods-mercy/   “There but for the grace of God go I” is a popular phrase often used to express humility and thanks for being blessed and thus avoiding your own negative or bad situation. It could be as simple as slipping on ice but not getting hurt like your neighbor did. It could also be a reason to give thanks after observing a severely handicapped person or a terminally ill friend. Could the same apply to meeting a person convicted of a crime? We all make mistakes.   In a recent ISN reflection the author cautions us not to prejudge Judas pointing out we should also consider a few “lesser-known facts”. She goes on to recount that Judas was chosen by Jesus, that Judas left everything to follow Jesus, that Jesus loved him, and he was part of his inner circle. Judas was not an obvious suspect in the betrayal of Jesus and from all appearances, he was a typical apostle. Nevertheless, the author goes on to beg the question why a “devoted follow
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  The Resistant Activist When we were children, our mother taught us compassion, showed us how to reach out to those in need (it might have been free day care, staying at our house, or giving of any surplus we had of food).   As an adult, when I taught CCD, in a rural community outside Albany, I talked to my students about Lent. The lesson I gave was to be reminded of the children who lived in Albany who had much less than them, and what did it mean to sacrifice.   The children were asked to give up something that they possessed, and we would give these items to children in Albany. They were to be guided by their parents. (Did not want them giving away something that maybe their parents would not approve.)   Every child had a reason for what they contributed:   a favorite piece of clothing, money earned from chores, a favorite toy.   We then made arrangements to actually visit a south-end neighborhood ministry in Albany (1970’s).   The parents and children walked away with a feelin
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Holy Week – God’s love as compassionate solidarity.

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  https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2021/03/28/palm-sunday-compassionate-solidarity/             I failed. Again.   This past weekend, I found myself in conversation with an in-law regarding the state of our nation and our differing political opinions. Both of us acknowledged that our faith and our understanding of God’s will were crucial in shaping our views. We shared common ground.   It was not long into our conversation that the very reactions I have been working hard to overcome surfaced:  anger, frustration, defensiveness – and not to be indelicate – sweaty armpits. Good grief, I thought afterwards, I am still incapable of engaging in conversations about polarizing topics without losing it.   What happened? Two things. First, I allowed fear to take over. I forgot to love. Love keeps my fear and desperation in check along with my need to be right, to have the last word. The second was that I stopped speaking from my heart; to explain that I have come to understand th
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Armor

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https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2021/03/26/armor-of-peace-and-justice/             Friday’s reflection from the ISN refers to armor as a means of protection. We can look at armor and shields from a variety of perspectives. Usually when I think of armor, I think of protecting myself. But armor and protection comes in many forms that can sometimes serve others too.  As soon as I opened Friday’s email, the first thing that came to mind was wearing a mask during the pandemic. We wear masks to first protect those around us. Wearing masks is armor for our brothers and sisters. When we look at the plagues of racial and social injustice, though, it brings into question how we can protect our neighbors who are not physically nearby. What sources of armor and shield can we find to show our love for them?  I found the ISN’s reflection to be beneficial because it also helped me to reflect on the times when I put up my own armor and shield instead of working alongside and for others. So
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Steadfast and Showing Up

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https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2021/03/19/steadfast-showing-up/ Day 31   Lately I have begun feeling completely overwhelmed with the task of showing up for justice. I have become discouraged with the long road and lack of progress in  the march toward equity and justice in our society. How can it take so long to deliver what Jesus has so clearly called us to do? To love one another. And then I reflect and recognize that my sense of urgency is born of my need to accomplish things quickly, to get the job done, to rely on myself. In Eileen  Markey’s reflection “Steadfast and Showing Up,” she reminds us of the importance of being reliable, doing the small tasks, and remembering that we are present and  part of a larger story. It is time to lay aside my pride, rely on the strength and commitment of my partners in the work of changing hearts and minds, and move forward with humility.   “Act Justly Love Mercy Walk Humbly With Your God”           Micah 6:8   Sandy B.
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