On Anti-Muslim Sentiment in the United States

This post is a re-post of Women in Theology's Statement "On Anti-Muslim Sentiment in the United States." It is reblogged as a way of signing on to the letter.

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We, as Christian theologians in the public sphere, stand together in solidarity with Muslims in the United States in support of all Muslim citizens and residents of the United States.   We do so not despite our deep Christian faith, but precisely because of it.

Recent statements in the wake of the horrific actions of violence in Paris and San Bernardino have once again raised the threshold of acceptable actions in this country.  We reject and abhor any and all statements or actions that respond to these acts of violence with indiscriminate fear, suspicion, and hatred against our Muslim sisters and brothers.

We unequivocally oppose all acts of violence against Muslim places of worship.  We oppose all acts of violence–verbal, physical, or otherwise– against Muslims. We oppose all acts of violence against people perceived to be Muslim.  We oppose all attempts to establish any sort of religious test for citizenship or immigration status.  We oppose all attempts to deny the fact that Muslims have been present in the Americas since the 16th century, living as enslaved people, soldiers, politicians, leaders, sports heroes, rockstars, and faithful citizens.

As December is a time of holy preparation for Christ Who Redeems not through violence or fear, but through love, sacrifice, and hope, we call upon all Christians to be mindful of your neighbor in a special way this season.  Affirm your Muslim neighbors, who live in fear of the hateful stranger in a way we can never know.  Affirm and support those who have accepted Syrian refugees, even against the wishes of state authorities.  Affirm and support those who offer mercy, love, and support for those who flee persecution around the world.

I've been preparing for this my whole life

Since becoming engaged, I've been targeted with tons of ads about Christian marriage.  Lots of "how to prepare to be the perfect wife for your future husband" and that type of stuff. At first I shrugged this off.  But then, it hit me: I HAVE been preparing for this my entire life.

Eating wedding cake, that is.

Please, oh please, read this first.

The goal of most Christian single women is to eat cake.  However, that does not mean you should wait until you're engaged to start preparing to eat cake.  Married women told me this years before I began to heed the advice.  However, once I realized God prepared us to receive blessings I realized I needed to prepare to receive the blessing of my cake.

I recently came across a song called "Joseph's Prayer of Adoption" by Danielle Rose.  Here's a salient line:

Will you take this [cake] as your own?
Will you give this [cake] a home?
All the love that he [sic] deserves I want him [sic] to receive
To know the Father's love in this family.

Doesn't that just give you a whole new perspective?  God has a cake just for you and God is preparing you to be a part of this new destiny.  With that being the case, we need to get ready!

But this doesn't come easy.  It takes work.  Here is my step by step guide for how to prepare for a Christian marriage (cake):

Step 1: Pray for your cake

Many Christian single women pray to eat cake and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.  But this step is not about praying to eat cake, but rather, praying FOR your cake.

I mean, really, if you aren't praying for your cake, then who is?

Step 2: Prepare

Eat all the cake.  Be adventurous.  Branch out.  Tres Leches? Deslish.  German chocolate?  All the feels.

I know this might be out there for some people, but you might even want to venture out into the wild world of pies.  #secularism

I even tried a paleo cake in this process.  Again, this preparation is for reals.

Step 3: Practice

Eat even more cake.

Hey, it's tough.  But do you want a good Christian cake or not?

Practice takes sacrifice.  You may have to buy new jeans because the old one's don't fit.  You may convert to leggings all day every day.  Nobody said this was easy.

Step 4: Praise

CAKE IS WONDERFUL! ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS ON SOCIAL MEDIA SHOULD KNOW THIS.  I highly encourage your use of instagram on this endeavor.

Step 5: Pray for a discerning spirit

You've been putting in the time and money.  When confronted with the wide selection of flavors, shapes, frosting types, how will you ever decide?  This is when you pray for a discerning spirit.  Have God walk with you through the flavor and frosting selection process.

You cannot do this on your own.  The sugar will take over.  Invite God in and make the decision together.

Step 6: Perceive

It is quite easy to be focused on the glorious day when you will eat the one that Christ has for you, but don't lose sight of the here and now.  Just because God is preparing you for wedding cake does not mean we are to do nothing in the meantime.

Eat cake.

Step 7: Pause

Have you ever wanted something so badly that you prayed and prayed for it, but when you got it you realized it wasn't all that great?  Most times in these cases, we finagle our way to get the thing rather than accepting God's no or waiting for God's best.

I implore you, don't do that with your wedding cake.  Wait on God. Who knows better how to prepare you for wedding cake than the One who designed wedding cake?

And that, my friends, is how you prepare for your wedding cake.

Special thanks to my friend Bridget for helping form this post.  I owe you some cake.

Presente: On the 25th Anniversary of the UCA Martyrs

November 16, 2014: Today marks 25 years since the massacre of the martyrs at the UCA.

It is also a day marked by remembrance and action in the Ignatian Family.  6 years ago, at the Ignatian Family Teach-in in Fort Benning, Georgia, I delivered a talk on how this event in a different country years ago still has an important connection to us today.  I thought I would share it in this forum today, as a way of marking this anniversary.

"Vocations for Justice"

“You’re Catholic and you’re a woman?”

 “You know it.”

“And you’re preparing for ministry in the Church?”

“Precisely.”

I cannot tell you the number of times I have had this conversation.  Everyone from the stranger next to me on the airplane to my mother has asked me these questions.  Sometimes I wonder if they think that I somehow didn’t notice that I was a woman. 

Now I realize that lay ministry in the Church isn’t something with which everyone is familiar.  I know that the fact that I am in a Masters of Divinity program yet not preparing to be a pastor is confusing.  I am also acutely aware that given current Church practice, women cannot be ordained to the priesthood.

But I’m also aware of something more.

I’m aware that God continues to call.  And I’m aware that God does not limit his or her calls.

I’m aware that I am here, that you are here, because God calls us to be here.

I’m aware that in this room, God is calling each and everyone of us to something unique, to be a fire that kindles other fires.

And if we listen, truly listen, we can hear God stirring in our midst at this very moment.

Now, you might be asking yourself, how on earth does this lady know that God is working in me?

Well, first of all, a call isn’t necessarily the booming voice of God telling us what to do.

I know that God is calling you because I’ve seen it.

I saw in yesterday in the students who spoke about their experience in El Salvador.  I saw it this morning in sleep deprived people piling out of the hotel into this room. 

And I’ve seen it in my own life.

I have been called to study theology at the wonderful Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley.  And let me tell you, if you would have asked me 5 years ago if I thought I’d end up at a theology school, I would have told you that I had no idea what that was.  Throughout my studies, I’ve continually asked myself exactly what it means to be a female lay minister in the Church.

It means collaboration with my Jesuit brothers who are preparing for ordination.

It also means being told that I do not work as hard or am not as important as priests.  It means coping with this rejection.

But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that far outweighing the struggles are the joys. 

Preaching at a Eucharistic celebration is an exhilarating experience. 

Sharing conversations about why we traveled all the way down to Georgia and feeling the presence of God in our midst continues to give me chills. 

And being here with the Ignatian Family continues to be one of the most inspiring experiences I could imagine.

As we gather together, we talk a lot about people who have gone before us. 

Well, I’ve got news for you. 

Women who inspire me, women like, Ita, Dorothy, Jean and Maura. 

They were called to vocations of justice, and so are we. 

Ignacio, Segundo, Elba, Celina, Amando, Nacho, Joaquin and Juan were called to vocations of justice, and so are we.

God is an equal opportunity recruiter--- and calls all of us, regardless of whether we think we are good enough or holy enough or even want to hear it. 

It may not be a call like we expect, but I guarantee the One who called Mary and Jeremiah and Peter is stirring in you in a way that only you can recognize.

God continues to call each and every one of us.  Men and women.  Lay and ordained.  All ages.  All nationalities.  All types.

God is calling each and everyone of us to something unique.

God is calling each of us to be a fire that kindles other fires.

God is calling you to be a fire that kindles other fires

Taylor Swift: The Next Great Theologian?

At the Taylor Swift "Red" Tour. 

Anyone who knows me in real life knows that I love Taylor Swift.  Like, a lot.  And most of you also know that I love Theology.

Today I am happy to bring these two world together.  Over at Millennial Journal, I take on the issue of Taylor Swift and liturgical theology in my essay Taylor Swift: The Next Great Theologian?  Check it out.

You Know You’re in the Ignatian Family When…

The Jesuit Post recently ran an article “You Know You’re a Jesuit When…” by the always wonderful Fr. James Martin.  I thought it would be hilarious to expand this to all of us who live in the Jesuit world (and thereby use words like “informatio” on a regular basis), yet clearly are not Jesuits. 

I present to you, “You Know You’re in the Ignatian Family When…”

1. Your favorite pastime is the “Name all the Jesuit Colleges and Universities” game.  You even have a strategy that you argue is best, i.e.: Start with the Loyolas, go west to east.  And, you pride yourself on the fact that when you name “LeMoyne,” everyone else looks at you in astonishment.

2. James Martin and Jon Sobrino constitute “Jesuit Royalty” in your eyes, and you probably have an embarrassing story about freaking out when you met them.

3.  At some point, your email signature has been “Go forth and set the world on fire,” “Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything” or a Hopkins quote.

4. Even though it is overused, you still tear up every time you hear Pedro Arrupe’s prayer, “On the Love of God.” And you have it posted in your house somewhere. And probably include it in at least 85% of the talks that you give.

5. You also know the “secret” access code to the majority of Jesuit residences.  But, you have good enough boundaries not to use them.

6. You have a favorite Jesuit residence, a favorite item on the menu, and a favorite place to sit during social.

7. You wish that you had a cloth napkin at the Jesuit Residence that you frequent the most.

8. November 16, the Feast of the UCA Martyrs, is a solemn day for you.  You mark it in a variety of ways: prayer, liturgy and of course, a facebook post.

Because why wouldn't you have a picture with Father General?

9.  When you mention that you went on a silent retreat to someone not in the Ignatian family, they look at you like you have 3 heads.  When you mention that you really want to do a 30-day silent retreat, they have no way to process what you are talking about.  You hope that one day you’ll have a break in your work schedule that will allow you to complete the exercises.  Also, when you hear “the exercises,” you think of Ignatius, not Richard Simmons.

10. You get irrationally upset when people think that Notre Dame is a Jesuit school.

11. Words like solidarity, consolation, desolation and indifference are commonplace in your lexicon.  It’s not unheard of for you to call a friend and say, “Let’s grab a drink.  I’m experiencing some desolation today.” (via Katie Bignell).

12. There are four letters that guide your life: AMDG. 

Everything Is Yours: Essay in America Magazine

The October 28 issue of America Magazine is easily one of their best.  I do not say that because I am in it, I promise.  "Women in the Life of the Church" features all-female writers and topics important to women.  In my opinion, it is the best work that has been done in the church regarding women and the church.

I was honored to write, "Everything Is Yours: Self-gift as a framework for ministry."

The entire issue is worth reading.  In particular, I recommend "Conscience of America," in which the editors reflect upon women in the magazine and how this issue came about.

Struggles with Solidarity

Solidarity.
It is a tenet of Catholic Social Teaching that calls us to be connected to people throughout the world, especially those suffering.

For me, there are few words more powerful, yet also few words more cliché.

When I was in college, we threw around this word for everything. If I’m being honest, I’ll admit that when we wanted to make something sound good, we just threw in the word “solidarity” and knew that the inclusion of this buzzword would get us whatever we wanted- whether it was funding for a spring break trip or approval for any number of activities.

In Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, I am struck by his description of community, for it is really a description of solidarity. Listen to this:

For I want you to know how great a struggle I am having for you
and for those in Laodicea
and all who have not seen me face to face,
that their hearts may be encouraged
as they are brought together in love,

I mean, it is practically a definition of solidarity.

When I hear this passage, immediately a question comes to my mind,

“Am I struggling for anyone who I have not seen face to face?”
or, asked in another way,
“Am I in solidarity with anyone?”

And the answer to this is hard for me to admit:
If I’m being generous, then I’ll respond “not as much as I should.”
But if I’m being honest, the actual answer is “no”

And here’s how I know at my core, that the actual answer is no:
Immediately, as soon as I ask myself “am I in solidarity with anyone,” people jump to my mind, people who I know God is calling me to be in solidarity with. I know this is from God, because it is so close to my heart. I don’t even have to search my mind for it: as soon as I ask myself this question, the people of Syria are on my heart and mind.

Life has been crazy for me recently. The months of August and September in Student Affairs are so busy that it's hard to keep up with daily activities, let alone look at big world issues.

But this busy lifestyle, well, it’s only an excuse for not living a life of solidarity. We put our time to what we value, and I have not prioritized solidarity as something worthy of my time or energy.

So, why am I making this public confession?
It’s not because I want to feel sorry for myself, or beat myself up
Rather, I’m going out on a limb and thinking that some of you might struggle with this too.

Balancing all of the demands that come with life in a college is difficult as it is. Opening up the question of solidarity can be overwhelming. I mean, there are so many issues in the world, so many people suffering, how do we even begin to care for others? It seems impossible, right?

But, here’s what I know:
God does not call us to do everything.
That does not mean that we are off the hook.
God calls us to do something, and to do that well.

And here’s where solidarity comes in:
God calls us to do this with one another, but also importantly, for one another.

Solidarity is realizing that my struggles are not the only struggles in the world.
It is recognizing that there is a connection between myself and people in Syria who I have never met and likely will never meet.

And this connection is God.

Our call in this is to listen to God in our lives:
Where is God calling you?
With whom is God calling you?
For whom is God calling you?

While I cannot say for certain what God is calling you to do, there are two things of which I am sure
1) God is in fact working in your life
2) This call is communal, that is, God is calling you through other people and FOR other people

This call to solidarity does not mean that I need to quit my job and move to Syria. In fact, that’s probably a bad idea all around.

But here’s what it does mean:
I need to listen to God in my life
I need to respond to God in my life
I need to be aware of the struggles of others and ensure that they are not alone.
And finally, I need to act.

And that is the beauty of our God:
Through Jesus, we are united with others.
Through prayer, we ensure this community.
Just as Paul was joined with others in the early days of our Church, here we are, 2000 years later, called to do the same.

My prayer for all of us is that we can form a community, a local community, wherever you are, that is in solidarity with those throughout the world. And as we do this, may we avoid the trite meaning of the word, but instead focus on the call from Paul to the Colossians:
How can we be with those struggling throughout the world?

While I may not be certain of the answer, I am certain that God is calling us to be with one another- in solidarity.

This reflection is adapted from a Gospel Reflection delivered on September 9, 2013 at Lucernarium night prayer on Col 1:24-2:3