Inspired by Scholastica

Two women who edify me with their goodness are right in my community. No, they don't pray on their knees all night or walk on needles all day. Rather, they give of themselves over and over again. During this pandemic they offered to cut hair for the 36 residents in our care center. Many of these women are very fragile and sickly; these two sisters give them loving attention as well as the hair cut. They feel privileged to do it. This is just one of their other ministries. Sister Micaela  works in our retreat center, takes piano lessons, and gives spiritual direction. Sister Loretta works in the garden, bakes bread, makes pickles, and supervises volunteers (not during the pandemic). Recently, an employee needed help baking bread and Sister Loretta was quick to respond to her need, even though she could have used some time to rest. They are the first to offer to do extra duties like shucking corn, taking sisters to appointments, and cleaning up after special dinners. When the

" Speak words of hope. Be human in this most inhuman of ages ." Thomas Merton Merton probably wrote those words in the 1950's. They are even more urgent today in our divided country, in the midst of a pandemic, and where violence is everywhere. When I hear the news  of the virus spiking in our country, the rise in crime and murder in many cities, and the racism rampant in so many places, it is hard to have hope. Where can we find hope? For me, each new morning is a sign of hope, a time to welcome another day of life, a time to start over, a time to be thankful. Hope is planting seeds of goodness and peace in soil that is scrabbly and rocky, and being willing to wait for them to sprout and grow in surprising new ways. Scripture and Jesus' words comfort me when I feel desperate or fearful. "Do not be afraid. I will be with you." (Mt.17:6-7) "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you."(Ps. 55:22). When the apostles faced a terrible

Prophets are seldom recognized in their own time. Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekial, Micah, all the Old Testament prophets failed to be accepted by their communities. They often suffered abuse and rejection by their own people. It was no different for Jesus who was persecuted and endured an excruciating death from his own people whose leaders betrayed him.  In more recent times it is no surprise that Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton met opposition during their lifetimes.They spoke against injustices and advocated a change in the way others were treated. Mahatma Ghandi led his people to break the chains of English control of India through non-violent action. King is considered a hero by all Americans, but especially Black Americans for his cry for justice. Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. who spoke out for women's rights, especially the right to vote, overcame much prejudice. After their deaths they were honored a