It’s been a minute and a ton has happened since I’ve felt the need to write.  Or more aptly, I’ve been too distracted by life to make writing a priority.

For six years, I had a crazy-busy job as a Priest working with Spanish speaking immigrants.  It was rewarding, challenging, joyful, and exhausting.  I left a year ago, and I’m still recovering my energy.

In the meantime, I’ve rekindled my artist spirit by creating my own art and work with faith communities to create art.  It is very life giving.

In contrast, my mind, body, and spirit are reeling from what is going on in this country and in the world.  As a believer in a benevolent and loving God, I refuse to accept the blatant hatred and vitriol being tossed about so carelessly.  What has happened to basic human decency and love for our neighbors?

Those who claim to be Christian and talk about, “Beating the hell,” out of people that disagree with them, is heresy.    And silencing one’s freedom of speech, when they disagree with what was said, is unconstitutional.  And firing someone for not pursuing a legal case because there are no grounds for pursing the case is illegal.  And taking away a person’s choice about vaccines is inhumane (if parents want to vaccinate their child who is to tell them they can’t?).

What is going on??? 

I try to hope in MLK, Jr’s arc of justice, and try to take the long view, but some days, I sit in despair and wonder if the damage we are inflicting on each other is irreversible in my lifetime.

We’ve made so much progress caring for the vulnerable as Jesus asks us to do. 
We had safety net programs, high employment levels, low inflation, medical coverage for more people than ever, and women’s health coverage that included abortion.  That is all being stripped away, leaving the vulnerable even more vulnerable.  How can these people claim to be followers of Jesus?

God, I pray for these lost souls, that are not working to restore your flock.  Gather them in like the lost sheep they are and give them soft hearts to do what is right and good to build your Kingdom here on earth.  Give them eyes to see you through the most vulnerable, ears to hear the need to care for the least of these, and hearts to love others the way you do.  Amen.

Artwork—https://i2.wp.com/famvin.org/en/files/2019/05/sieger-Koder-good-shepherd.jpg?ssl=1