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

The Feast of the Transfiguration

Today marks the Feast of the Transfiguration.  This passage from the Gospels is one of my all-time favorites.  As someone who ministers in educational settings, each year I am hit with 1/4 of the community leaving with everyone saying, "Can't we just stay here, just like this, for forever?"  My response to this is to pray with the Transfiguration.Here is a portion of a Gospel Reflection I offered at the end of the school year at a high school.  Note:  the school was on a hill, hence the references to "on the hill"


So here, we have Peter, James and John on a mountain with Jesus.  And they have a beyond incredible experience!  I mean, Jesus is transfigured.  He turns white, there are bright lights everywhere, and then from a cloud comes the voice of God.  Talk about a great experience.

Peter then begs Jesus to let them stay on the mountain. I have to say, I totally identify with Peter in this moment.  Here they are, on this beautiful hill, having a wonderful experience, and then it has to end.  

Haven't many of us felt this way about leaving this hill?  Right when it is getting really good, when we have it all figured out and are enjoying ourselves, Jesus tells us it is time to leave.

But looking at it this way is missing the point. The whole purpose of the transfiguration is not what happens on the hill---- it's what happens after the experience on the hill.         

The whole purpose of this high school isn't what happens on this hill.  It's what happens after the experience on the hill.

Isn't that what faith, integrity and truth are all about? These aren't values that matter only on the hill. In fact, they are values that matter the most once we leave this hill. 

What happened to the disciples in the transfiguration was transformative.  This year has been transformative for me.  I imagine it’s been transformative for many of you too. 

Jesus calls us to look at what this transformation means for us. Seniors, now that you are leaving, what does living a life of faith, integrity and truth mean for you?  How will you allow yourself to be shaped by the friendships with your classmates?  How will you continue to see God around you once you leave the hill?  This is the true question of the transfiguration.         
           How will you continue to see God around you?

And this message doesn't just apply to the seniors.  It applies to all of us--- how will we as the FSHA community continue to see God around us?  
How will we continue to experience God? 
How will we continue to be a community that is FIT--- a community of faith, integrity and truth? 
The good news is that there are endless replies to this question.

We all have this community to support us, a community that continues to show us God’s love.

 This community will continue to love and support all of us as we respond to Jesus’ call and journey down the hill. We’ve all been transformed while at this school.  The question that lies before us today is what we will do with this transformation.

Paula Deen: Reasons It Impact ALL of us

Clearly, Paula Deen has been making quite a bit of news recently.  The setting is a lawsuit:  waiter Lisa Jackson is suing Deen and her brother Earl "Bubba" Hiers for  exposing Jackson to “violent, sexist, and racist behavior” while working in their restaurants.

While reading about the lawsuit, everything seemed to be business as usual.  Until I got to this point:

In the complaint, Jackson is described as a “white female.” However the complaint noted she has biracial nieces, so “derogatory remarks regarding African Americans are even more personally offensive to Ms. Jackson than they would be to another white citizen.”

Um, I'm sorry, what was that?  Was that an implication that a white citizen without biracial family would not be offended by behavior such as making African Americans use separate bathrooms and entrances?

And let's be clear: that was stated factually, as though it is an agreed upon fact in our society that white people will not be offended (or, if I'm being generous, as offended) by racist behavior as minorities.

The attorney had to make the point that the white waiter had a personal investment in this discriminatory environment.  Or else- what?  Would the case be thrown out?  The implication is that this behavior is only offensive to those who are being targeted by the discrimination.

This has to change.

As human beings, we should all be offended by this.  Any discrimination, whether in practice or in thought, is an attack on human dignity that should outrage all of us.  To say that just those who are Black should be offended by Deen's statements continues discrimination.   And maybe it even makes it worse.

Using language of faith, this line of reasoning is not just divisive, it is actually an injury to the Body of Christ.  Faith calls us to a community of solidarity.  It does not mean that as a white female I have experienced this discrimination in the same way that someone who is the target of such discrimination has.  It is ludicrous to think that I could will myself into experiencing this on the basis of "standing in solidarity" with others.  What it does mean is that I recognize that an attack against someone else is also an attack against me.  It means that I do not sit idly by when this happens.  And it means that I speak and act when this happens.

Racism is real.  It is not a thing of the past.  And maybe more importantly: racism impact us all.

The Visitation: An Invitation to the In Between Moments

The Feast of the Visitation is perhaps my favorite moment in the liturgical calendar.  Here is a brief reflection I offered after communion a few months back at the blessing of a chapel dedicated to the Visitation:

In order to understand the Visitation, we need to back up a little:

The Angel Gabriel comes to Mary and tells her that she will become pregnant with the Son of God.  Mary, being the all-star that she is, responds “let it be done to me.”  While Gabriel is visiting Mary, he tells her that her cousin, Elizabeth, is also pregnant.  Now, Elizabeth was very old and thought to be barren.  So, really, there are 2 major miracles here.

So, then we get into the Visitation. 

Mary, while pregnant, takes off for Judah to visit Elizabeth.  When Mary arrives, Elizabeth is ecstatic.  She describes her child, who we know as John the Baptist, as jumping in her womb.  Elizabeth’s response is gorgeous, and many of you know it from a prayer we often pray today: the Hail Mary.

Often times, that’s where people cut off the story.  But, that misses my absolute favorite part--- the part I consider to be the meat of it:

Mary stays with Elizabeth for 3 months.

That’s all the Bible says.  That’s all we get: Mary stays for 3 months.

I like to imagine what those 3 months were filled with.  I’m sure there was some freaking out about how on earth they became pregnant.  And probably lots of girl talk.  I’m sure there was praying, and laughing and some tears too.

But my guess?  There were a lot of ordinary, every day moments.

And I LOVE that.

So, for 3 months, they just hung out and went about their lives. 

And most definitely, God was present in those ordinary moments.

And here’s what I love the most:

they were together for 3 months, and our semester is roughly 3 months.

Think about these next 3 months of the semester. 

There will be profound moments. 

There will be excruciating moments. 

But most of all--- there will be a lot of in between moments.

Those moments that aren’t especially note worthy.  The moments that fill our day.  The in between moments.

So when I look at the Visitation, I see that it’s about two main things:

 Friendship

God is with us in the in between moments.

In those moments that don’t stand out, in our every day busyness:

God is there.  God is here.

If we pay attention to our every day moments, all the moments that we often just let pass by, we’ll realize the many ways that God is working in our lives. 

So whether you are trying to figure out what to major in, or whether to keep up that long-distance relationship from home, or what to do after graduation--I am confident that God is already speaking to you through your every day experiences. 

It is our job to pay attention to those moments.

So, here is my invitation to you:  listen to God in your lives.  Not just in the big, profound moments, but perhaps more importantly, in the everyday.

When the Finite Meets the Infinite

TED Talks are awesome.  We can all agree on that.  This one, however, takes the cake.  Susan Haarman is a campus minister, IronMan and my best friend.  She recently gave a TED Talk at the TedxLUC conference.  Her topic:  When the Finite Meets the Infinite: Spirituality in Endurance Sports.

It's 19 minutes of your life, and I promise, whether you are an athlete or not, it will make an impact.  "Endurance can actually help us brush up against the infinite, and when that happens, we are able to live more authentically and more deeply."  Check it out.