Journeying Toward Freedom and Equity

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/2021/03/19/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/2021/03/09/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/2021/03/05/cornerstone/           Throughout life we are told not to settle. When we face a challenging moment in our lives, we are told to keep moving forward or choose another path that better serves us. Yet, many of us have been forced to settle in numerous aspects of our lives throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Many individuals have lost jobs, been forced to work and study from home, have lost close family members and friends, and have faced other challenging situations in which they had no control. Plans have been pushed aside. Dreams seem far out of reach or are placed on hiatus for an uncertain amount of time. For the time being, we just have to settle with what we have. Friday’s reflection from the ISN focuses on feelings of rejection and moments when we feel like we are missing out on what God and others have to offer us. It is in these moments of rejection, though, that are actually a great opportuni...

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...

https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2021/03/02/lamentation-fury-hope/           How do we wash ourselves clean? How do we put away our misdeeds? How do we make justice our aim? How do we set things right? The Lord tells us with certainty in today’s first reading from the first chapter of the Prophet Isaiah to hear and to listen and then to do. And Jesus tells us with certainty in today’s Gospel reading to serve. How we hear, how we listen, and how we do (serve) is up to us as individuals and as groups and communities of believers.           Do we trust God enough to make efforts to hear, to listen and to serve as God has told us?             When we trust God and make efforts to hear and to listen and to serve, God will show us ways, because God loves us more than we will ever know. God is more than worthy of our trust.             So many are struggling...