Journeying Toward Freedom and Equity

  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...

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/2021/03/04/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...