Inspired by Scholastica

The synagogue leaders shunned me, deemed me demented, demon-possessed. Stooped in body, crushed in spirit. I hobbled to the synagogue, hidden, eyes riveted to the ground.  Then Jesus called me; hesitant, I shuffled  toward him, fearful unable to lift my head. Jesus touched me and I felt my body straighten, my eyes lift to see his face, joy flooded my soul. I could stand up after eighteen years of being horizontal   to the ground, amazing the crowd. Jesus called me a daughter of Abraham, making me part of the family of Israel . Jesus defied Jewish law by speaking to me, a woman, in front of the assembly, curing me on the Sabbath. He stood up for me and for all those bent over by injustice, hatred, fear or sickness, for when one is crushed, all are laid low and diminished; when one is raised up, all have dignity and worth.

Greg Boyle, SJ I used to think that members of gangs and dope addicts were pretty much lost causes. After attending a  book review on "Tattoos on the Heart" by Father Greg Boyle, I changed my mind. The author, a Jesuit priest serving in the high crime district of  Los Angeles, has proven that tough love and job training can make a difference. He started Homeboy Industries which serves  high-risk, former gang members with a series of free services and programs and operates several social enterprises that serve as job-training sites. Boyle has spoken to groups around the world about his ministry and brings along "homies" to tell their stories. The stories they tell are of abandonment, abuse, neglect, and violence that are shocking to most people. He has been interviewed by Anderson Cooper of CNN and other journalists  who are amazed at his success in turning young lives around. Boyle is truly extraordinary. Not everybody could do what he does day in and day o...

Listening is an undervalued skill. To really listen to someone means more than just hearing what he or she says.  It means spending time to try to understand the situation. As Robert Wicks says in his book, After 50: Spiritually Embracing your own Wisdom Years , "true listening will provide reflection, feedback, and questions to see if we both see the issues clearly." St. Benedict tells us in his Rule, "Listen with the ear of your heart." If we really care about the person who is sharing, our heart will be touched. Good listeners are not just passive hearers, but really try to break open a story. People often have limited under-standing of their own stories. Many times they are filled with shame or regret or discouragment, and have blocked vision.  A caring listener can provide a different perspective and open up new possibilities. In this age of instant messages and immediate communication, it is not easy to find a person who takes time to listen. It's chal...

We are called to be Easter people, Resurrection people. What does that mean? It means to live with joy, with confidence, and with faith. We can imagine the joy of Mary Magdalen and Jesus' disciples when they discovered that Jesus had risen from the dead. When all their hopes were dashed at the crucifixion, suddenly they realize that he truly was the Messiah, the Savior, the one who had destroyed death. His promise that those who believe in him would have eternal life was real. The Resurrection ought to fill us with confidence that we have nothing to fear, that no matter how bad things look. Jesus will be with us and give us courage to persevere. Hope should make us lift our hearts and our heads to face whatever the future holds. Death is not the last word. We have the promise of everlasting life. "Eye has not seen nor ear heard what God has ready for those who love him." All we have to do is love God and the people God sends into our lives. That means the irrita...