Journeying Toward Freedom and Equity

  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/2021/03/09/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/2021/03/04/begin-to-heal/ Let us also reflect about how, in addition to our personal wounds, failing to address our society’s wounds with compassion likewise increases the depth of chasms in our world, that so they become harder to climb out of.   These challenges include caring for God’s creation/our common home, challenges with racism, how we address poverty in our midst, and our dealing with challenges of neglecting others around us. We can choose not to do address challenges in our society, because we are busy or because the challenges seem so daunting, but when we do so the chasms grow.   Dave B.

https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2021/03/04/begin-to-heal             Wounded  parts-these are generally what we want to avoid in our lives. Who wants to face their own pain and suffering? In today's Ignatian Solidarity Network, Anna Robertson brings us face to face with the hidden struggles of our own interior lives:  “ When we fail to tend our wounds with compassion,  we often end up transmitting them onto others.”   For me, a midlife crisis that led to a 'dark night of the soul', gave me the opportunity to become deeply immersed in dealing with my wounded parts. Although this was a very challenging path, it led me to reconnect with Christ's Spirit in new ways that nourished my soul. As I faced my own wounds, my spiritual path led me to become aware of God/Christ within myself, as well as all people, and the world. I learned to see any daily irritations with other people as opportunities to learn more about myself, and what ol...

Welcome!      We are so happy you are visiting our blog today. Our hope is that, during this holy Lenten season, we will all grow in love and understanding of God and others. This Lent, members of our parish’s Race Awareness Discussion Group, part of St. Augustine’s Social Action Ministry, will reflect on some of the daily writings featured in Lent 2021’s Ignatian Solidarity Network Series called STEADFAST: A CALL TO LOVE .        We hope that you will visit our blog throughout this Lenten season, read our reflections, and feel free to share a comment when inspired to do so. Sometimes there will be a link or two for further reading, listening, or viewing. Our goal is simply to share, not to overwhelm. Let us make this a time of prayer and renewal, a time of reflection and compassionate dialogue. I've included the link for the Ash Wednesay posting here, in case you haven't yet subscribed to the Ignatian Solidarity Network Series. Enjoy!  http...