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...

During my retreat several weeks ago, one session was on the eight Beatitudes.   Although I have heard this Gospel   often, I had not taken time to really meditate on its implications. So in this time of silence and isolation, I prayed   about our blessedness. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven .   We are blessed when we have tried to place ourselves among the poor, to reach out to them in their need, to be a voice for those who have no voice. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.   We are blessed when we grieve with those who mourn, especially those who have not been able to be with loved ones who died of COVID 19; who grieve not only death, but those who suffer from injustices, like racism and poverty and the devastation of the earth. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.   We are blessed when we humbly acknowledge our rightful place on the earth,and our interconnectedness with a...

I would hate to be a pastor during these days of COVID 19. They face the clamor of those who want the churches to offer Masses again and those who think it is still unsafe. Bishops also need to balance reasonable religious policies with their own state's legislation. There is no previous map to follow, so it is better to heed the direction of doctors and scientists who have the most expertise about the danger of spreading the virus. Many Catholics are attending Masses streamed in from various churches via computers or IPads or TV. Some feel more comfortable not having to dress up and sit in uncomfortable pews so they like staying at home. Some miss receiving Communion. Others miss connecting with their friends and neighbors at their parish church. Some parishes are reinstituting Masses but allowing only a small percentage of attendants to keep six feet distancing. Smaller parishes have less of a problem than large city ones. It doesn't look like we'll be returning...

I can’t scream, I’m cryin’,  I’m gaspin’, my heart is thumpin’ like it’s on its last beat. Get your ugly d---- shoe off my neck I can’t breathe. I’m gonna’  die! I keep seeing that video of the policeman stepping on George Floyd’s neck, I  gasp at the inhumanity of such an action, as if he were snuffing out a cigarette, or squashing a bug, showing disgust and hatred and even pleasure to be able to crush a black  human being. God breathed into each of us the breath of life that enables us to move, to laugh, to enjoy the beauty of this earth, to be part of a family, to have a home. What right does anyone have to take away that breath, that precious gift of life,  No! no!  No matter what he did h e deserves to b reathe just like you and me .

We have heard a lot about white privilege lately, and hopefully people are beginning to examine their consciences about their complicity in the treatment of  people of color.. Many whites have taken for granted their ability to obtain good jobs, be treated with respect, walk and drive safely anywhere they want to go. If whites even notice that they are treated differently, they just accept it as normal. And sadly, some policemen who are supposed to uphold the law with equal justice toward all, are treating blacks shamefully. The death of George Floyd at the hands of police has triggered protests around the country and  hopefully something will change. Many blacks and whites are coming together to demand  that white policemen be convicted for cruel and unjust treatment of people of color. Thankfully mini-cameras are capturing the police actions and can be used as evidence. It is not just one instance. It happens over and over agaiin, recently to a black man in Taco...