Journeying Toward Freedom and Equity

  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?           ...

  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 pe...

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 “devot...

  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 ...

  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...

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 ...

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”  ...

https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2021/03/23/willing-to-look-at/ We have a sign in our Florida condo that says, “Blessed.” It serves as both decoration and declaration. It blends nicely with our Florida decor (sans flamingos!) but also acknowledges our gratitude for the many blessings we try not to take for granted.  Yet, this little sign prickles. It prickles because it is a constant reminder of the disparity  between my abundance and the scarcity and suffering experienced by so many of my brothers and sisters.  What did I do to deserve my advantages? Some would say good fortune and hard work. What I have come to learn is that much of my well-being is due to my white privilege. Being white gave me a head-start right out of the gate.  How do I respond to the prickle caused by that sweet little sign? I try not to look away. I wrestle with the tension. I acknowledge that racism still enslaves our people; I continue to educate mys...

https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2021/03/19/steadfast-showing-up/ Friday’s reflection from the ISN reminds us to show up for others and for the sake of justice even in the moments when we feel overwhelmed and tired.             I feel overwhelmed and tired this week, especially after hearing more information about the ongoing hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. In addition to that, I face the challenges that are part of everyday life: schoolwork, work, personal struggles, etc. As we continue to face the effects of the pandemic, I feel stuck mentally and physically. I find myself constantly asking God to show me the way and lead me through this difficult journey.               But then I remind myself that all these thoughts and emotions are normal. In fact, maybe my reactions to hate crimes and the circumstances of life as we face it today wil...

     https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2021/03/16/last-shall-be-first/      How am I called to “seek out those in the back of the line”?      My Christian upbringing has led me to make many choices in my life, including finding ways to serve in my community and beyond.  I have served in many of the usual ways and some not so usual ways. It is not necessary to list them today, that is another story.  During this Lenten season, I continue to find ways to serve those less fortunate than myself, those of less privilege than me; but this year I have also chosen to reflect on my grief. Perhaps grieving can be another way to serve others?      As I have reflected on how I experience grief, I have recognized I have experienced grief through loss, especially loss of loved ones. However, I have also discovered my greatest grief - my awareness of the suffering of the world caused by social injustice....

Note:  This is the second part of a two-part reflection by Lucretia H. that was inspired by a recent Lenten Ignatian Solidarity Network piece. The link to the ISN posting is provided for you here:   https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2021/03/10/lest-we-forget/             Is racism Real?   You be the judge of my experience.             I know I never thought of myself as a racist.   My mother would never permit it.   My father pointed out to us how privileged we were.   “If you have an education, you are never poor.”   I was the oldest of twelve, and my mother was a stay-at-home mom while my dad held three jobs.   He was a Postal Clerk, which paid the bills, and a Handyman at a local hotel, and a janitor at our church (the church money paid for our Catholic Education).    My family is diverse in ethnicity; Russian, Polish, Italian...

https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2021/03/10/lest-we-forget/             Recent reflections for Lent got my mind remembering history and my own encounters with social justice. My Inspiration came from Sister Barbara Ginter, who invited me to go with her to New York City to visit Drug rehab centers. My most memorable one was Teen Challenge. If you have not read The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson, this is an easy read about a journey of faith and courage to help teens face their drug demons and end gang violence. I felt privileged to see the actual house and wheat on the fireplace which was the inspiration and confirmation for David Wilkerson that he was to begin his journey. There is a Teen Challenge chapter in Syracuse. Plan to learn more and perhaps volunteer.           Of course, Barb wanted to complete our visit to New York City with a Protest at the Cathedral. It was my fi...

https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2021/03/12/beloved-by-god/   Love has so many parts that make up the whole. Love for God, love for Jesus, love for neighbor, love for God’s gifts given freely to us, love for the Holy Spirit, and love for myself.   What?? Love for myself? Isn’t that conceit? How can I love myself when others have not loved me? Doesn’t love for myself take away from my efforts to love God, my efforts to love Jesus, my efforts to love my neighbor…?   God in great love for us gives us gifts that are too wonderful and too numerous to comprehend. Why would God be so giving to us if God did not love us more than we will ever know?   And yet each of us who are the intended recipients of these wonderful, numerous gifts from God often struggle with loving ourselves and in turn, loving each other. If we are commanded to love  our neighbor as ourselves but do not ourselves, where are we??   Dave B.

https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2021/03/09/grace-mercy-forgiveness-rooted-in-accountability/ The last few days of the Ignatian Reflection got me thinking. Our actions can be bold.  How is that?  Marching in protest rallies, calling on my Legislative Representatives when they make changes that make a difference for those who are working a full-time job and take home, (again take home), $400 a week…when just the rent is over $1000 a month or when food stamps are cut (food, a basic need).  It may also mean writing letters to the editor or signing a petition against gun violence.  Maybe it is looking at my own guns.  Maybe it is looking at my activities that are killing the air I breathe. My actions can also be a little quieter and more private.  Like the day I drove by a homeless man and felt guilty because I bought these awesome homemade oatmeal cookies and decided to give them to him.  That was a sacrifice, because when I had my afternoon coffee, ...

https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2021/03/08/kindness-justice/           As I read today’s reflection, I am struck once again by the wisdom of youth.  Working as a tutor for at-risk students at Hillside Work and Scholarship, and advising the ACTS Youth Council, I am frequently in the company of young people who open my eyes with fresh perspectives and re-ignite my enthusiasm for working for justice and equity.           High school senior Timmy Lake’s assertion that once we observe injustice, we must act with kindness, offers the opportunity to begin the work with small, humble actions.  Reaching out to a child who has been hurt by unkind words because of being different, listening to a teen who is struggling with issues of racial inequity, helping a recent immigrant navigate the confusing systems of a new country—all these kindnesses move us from the passive world of observing injustice to the acti...