Journeying Toward Freedom and Equity

  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/2021/03/16/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....

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.