Reflection for Feb. 20, 2022

Fran, thank for your thought provoking reflection. When confronted by challenges the pause to refresh seems ro be a good rule to live by. Love the quote from Chesterton.

I think it’s hardest when you ARE right, when people are spewing things contrary to the Gospel. And also hardest when it’s the little, seemingly inconsequential things that our families do or say. I think your first suggestion is the best of all: cling to Jesus. Picture him immediately, and respond knowing he’s at our side.

+ + +

"Give voice to unjust systems that keep persons in bondage."

"Disarm the offender."

+ + +

For me, it is these two "LOVE COMMANDS" that cry out for my attention, and for my SEEKING WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING in how to go about doing both, at the same time -- 1) call out the injustice and the wrong/s that are hurting so many of the poor and the powerless, while 2) not resorting to hostility or violence, myself -- all the while not letting myself be intimidated, or bullied, or entrapped by lies, deception, or any other 'evil,' but rather to remain standing firm in the 'freedom of truth,' and the knowledge of God's requirement that God's Way-of-Life be made known upon the Earth.

I see a definite need for this kind of learning today. And I freely and most openly, call out for Holy Spirit's help.

As a woman-of-care, as a mother who vowed not to allow war (the military) and violence lure my children into terror-able situations that could never be un-lived, and even more-so now, as a GraMa of "SEVEN" Wonders-of-the-World :), I continue to cry out to the HOLY SPIRIT for every kind of healing and truth-making that we, In-Spirited CHRIST-IN-'s (Christ-in-us), will open ourselves up to in These days of 'living hell' for so many on this planet.

If I'm not speaking up for these, then I am not being true and faithful to God. Or even to myself, as another human being; as a fellow creation-of-God.

"COME, HOLY SPIRIT! WE NEED YOU!"

Thank you Sr. Fran You always have words of wisdom and such a gentle, warm smile!

Thanks, Sister Francis. This Sunday's Gospel is SO hard to live. And it seems so many are worn down, worn this by the stresses of two years of Covid and all its uncertainty and consequences. Taking the high road, like David did, is never easy in the short run, but has its own rewards only I may ever know.

Thanks for your reflection on the challenge of living the Christian message when life is not smooth and easy. Your examples are helpful for shaping this kingdom of peace and justice. And, I like that quote from GK Chesterton!