Inspired by Scholastica

Some of us wait for change to happen and then respond; others take the lead and create change. If you are a waiter, you may wait too long and lose touch with the reality around you. You may think you will be ready to respond, but you can get distracted or lazy or indifferent. Some wait because they are afraid or think their efforts will not make a difference. Activists see a need and do something. Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old Swedish school girl, is definitely an activist. She sees the climate crisis and decided to take action. She went on a school strike and is credited with raising global awareness of the risks posed by climate change and with holding governments accountable for their lack of action on the climate crisis. On September 21, Thunberg led an international climate strike with over four million participants around the world responding. Most of them were young people who feel that adults are standing by just waiting for the world to destroy itself with gas emission...

“Migrants and refugees are not pawns on the chessboard of humanity. “    Pope Francis According to Catholic Relief Services, there are 65 million refugees and displaced people worldwide and 50 percent of them are children.   Many are displaced for an average of 17 years.   They come from Latin America to Afghanistan — the largest group is from Syria. The majority are living in urban areas rather than refugee camps, urban areas in developing countries struggling to meet their own needs.   It is an international problem that requires new long-term solutions. It is a crisis too large to ignore.   Humanitarian groups like Catholic Relief Services are providing refugees with lifesaving basic necessities such as food, water, and shelter. But so much more is needed. We need to urge our leaders and the international community to address education, jobs, and resettlement issues.   Equally important is the need to work for diplomatic solutions to th...

Woman with a Hemorrhage She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd   and touched his cloak, for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” (Mark 5: 27-28) Twelve years I sought relief going from doctor to doctor but the bleeding continued. I was shunned as unclean, rejected even by my family yet I was guiltless, faithful to the Jewish code of law. When I heard a healer was coming to town, I followed the crowds, fearing to be turned away, yet convinced if   touched his robe my suffering would end, hoping he would not notice in the horde, but he immediately felt my hand. Shamed, I admitted my brazen act, ready to face condemnation. Instead Jesus praised my faith, the crimson flow dried up. I leapt and danced with abandon, knowing I could now live free like others, no longer treated as an outcast. Barbara Mayer, OSB

St. Benedict in his Rule places a lot of emphasis on humility. In fact, he enumerates 12 steps to achieving true humility. Some of them seem rather harsh, but the emphasis is really on knowing one's place in the sight of God. Benedict says the first step of humility "is that one keeps the fear of God always before one's eyes." If  we revere God, we will know our rightful place in this world. On the other hand, if we think we are in control, we become proud and see no need for God.. Embracing suffering and enduring it without weakening or seeking escape is another step of humility. We are reminded by Paul  to unite our sufferings with the sufferings of Christ, to "bear with false brothers, endure persecution, and bless those who curse them." To be "content with the lowest and most menial treatment" is the sixth step of humility. Most of us want the best  treatment, thinking we are better than others who don't try as hard as we do. Truly...