Journeying Toward Freedom and Equity

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/2021/03/09/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/2021/03/02/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...