Friday, April 25, 2014
Jimmy Carter: A Call to Action - Women, Religion, Violence and Power
The Carter Center gathered religious leaders, scholars and activists to align religious and political life with full equality for girls and women.
Carter's latest tome tells of human trafficking, abuse and the violence that needs addressing the world over.
Human slaves.
Body mutilation.
Legitimized murder on a massive scale.
Men and boys are not superior to women and girls, Carter claims.
Such thinking is supported by some male religious leaders who distort the Bible, the Koran, and other sacred texts to perpetuate that women are inferior and unqualified to serve God on equal terms, the former president notes.
Shame on us.
Such a premise seems to justify physical punishment of women and girls, claims Carter.
"Contributing to the abuse of women and girls is an acceptance of violence, from unwarranted armed combat to excessive and biased punishment for those who violate the law, writes Jimmy Carter who addresses suffering of women and girls who are denied equal rights.
Why are they?
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Two Merciful Men
Although I wanted Mother Teresa of Calcutta, India to be recognized and canonized as a saint before
Popes John XXIII and John Paul II, the first popes to be raised to the level of saints in 700 years, the festive ceremony Sunday in Vatican Square will be appreciated by many Catholics, and more.
Amid wonderment about the sexual abuse crisis that was brewing during both pontificates, both are merciful men who seemed to lead well the 1.2 million-member Catholics. Leaders are only as good as the information they get from those who could have been more forthright and honest, rather than looking the other way, perhaps.
"Peace on Earth," an encyclical by Pope John the XXIII who called for "fresh air" in the church, is among the most notable of his many writings, coupled with the worldwide ecumenical Vatican II.
The Cold War was raging, and John XXIII spoke up.
He did.
Unafraid was John.
That council from 1962-65 gets blamed for so much in the church's disarray today.
Got to blame someone, something at some time, I guess.
Social unrest and thunderous change at the time when the authority of God followed human likes and wants reigned.
Fresh air was needed in the church.
Good John XXIII led the Holy Spirit's breeze and wind giving Mother Church a birth anew.
Although I was in the eighth grade at the time, I only wondered what the council in Rome was all about. I was unaware for my age.
And, while Pope John Paul II helped to "get the horses back in the barn," so to speak, Vatican II released the laity with a liberty and respect for their gifts unheard of ever.
Yet, still, their gifts go unappreciated, it seems to me.
Collaboration, collegiality and local ecclesiology was front and center.
Good John Paul II aimed at bringing back devotions, even the Mother of Perpetual Help devotions that were sung and prayed weekly at my home church of the late Saint Thomas the Apostle on Detroit's east side. I enjoyed them. Who wouldn't savor prayers to Mary, one mom like all mothers who really are the center of families.
Moms calls us together.
My own mother of seven gathered us with dad around the table for supper, for study, for chores, discipline, boundaries, for the rosary, and, so much more.
Sunday, two merciful men will be canonized.
Praise God.
They are set apart as the rule by which the rest of us may line up our lives after Jesus the Christ, to get to heaven, unless one has other plans.
The ideal of the strength and virtue of mercy is in fact greater than justice.
It is.
Look at Pope Francis.
A merciful man, indeed.
He invites us to walk alongside of those estranged, condemned, forgotten, abandoned, looked down upon.
Moms are merciful, after all.
Popes and all of us are called to be that also.
Like the great Teresa of Calcutta who wanted those no one else wanted to care for and love, and clean, bathe and raise up in dignity.
There's a saint.
For sure.
Yet, I will rejoice that two others saints will also show us how to be more, to be better beyond bitter, bolder in the faith, and, in the daily trek we make in the trenches of people's hurts, desolations and consolations.
Praise God!
Popes John XXIII and John Paul II, the first popes to be raised to the level of saints in 700 years, the festive ceremony Sunday in Vatican Square will be appreciated by many Catholics, and more.
Amid wonderment about the sexual abuse crisis that was brewing during both pontificates, both are merciful men who seemed to lead well the 1.2 million-member Catholics. Leaders are only as good as the information they get from those who could have been more forthright and honest, rather than looking the other way, perhaps.
"Peace on Earth," an encyclical by Pope John the XXIII who called for "fresh air" in the church, is among the most notable of his many writings, coupled with the worldwide ecumenical Vatican II.
The Cold War was raging, and John XXIII spoke up.
He did.
Unafraid was John.
That council from 1962-65 gets blamed for so much in the church's disarray today.
Got to blame someone, something at some time, I guess.
Social unrest and thunderous change at the time when the authority of God followed human likes and wants reigned.
Fresh air was needed in the church.
Good John XXIII led the Holy Spirit's breeze and wind giving Mother Church a birth anew.
Although I was in the eighth grade at the time, I only wondered what the council in Rome was all about. I was unaware for my age.
And, while Pope John Paul II helped to "get the horses back in the barn," so to speak, Vatican II released the laity with a liberty and respect for their gifts unheard of ever.
Yet, still, their gifts go unappreciated, it seems to me.
Collaboration, collegiality and local ecclesiology was front and center.
Good John Paul II aimed at bringing back devotions, even the Mother of Perpetual Help devotions that were sung and prayed weekly at my home church of the late Saint Thomas the Apostle on Detroit's east side. I enjoyed them. Who wouldn't savor prayers to Mary, one mom like all mothers who really are the center of families.
Moms calls us together.
My own mother of seven gathered us with dad around the table for supper, for study, for chores, discipline, boundaries, for the rosary, and, so much more.
Sunday, two merciful men will be canonized.
Praise God.
They are set apart as the rule by which the rest of us may line up our lives after Jesus the Christ, to get to heaven, unless one has other plans.
The ideal of the strength and virtue of mercy is in fact greater than justice.
It is.
Look at Pope Francis.
A merciful man, indeed.
He invites us to walk alongside of those estranged, condemned, forgotten, abandoned, looked down upon.
Moms are merciful, after all.
Popes and all of us are called to be that also.
Like the great Teresa of Calcutta who wanted those no one else wanted to care for and love, and clean, bathe and raise up in dignity.
There's a saint.
For sure.
Yet, I will rejoice that two others saints will also show us how to be more, to be better beyond bitter, bolder in the faith, and, in the daily trek we make in the trenches of people's hurts, desolations and consolations.
Praise God!
Men Can Be Better
Cokie Robert's comment that "Men could be better," is a challenge for all to heed.
The media voice makes much sense.
And, she was willing to stand up.
To say it to us guys.
We can be better.
I forgot the context of her comments Sunday on TV's morning shows, between Mass presiding,
but, I took notice at what she said.
Now, let the men begin. . .with a little push from the gals, of course, as always.
Women seem to know how to press men and lead well.
Thanks, Cokie!
The media voice makes much sense.
And, she was willing to stand up.
To say it to us guys.
We can be better.
I forgot the context of her comments Sunday on TV's morning shows, between Mass presiding,
but, I took notice at what she said.
Now, let the men begin. . .with a little push from the gals, of course, as always.
Women seem to know how to press men and lead well.
Thanks, Cokie!
Monday, April 21, 2014
BRIDGING 8 MILE / CELEBRATING FAMILY: All-Faiths Festival Events
Celebrating Family at the Warren, MI., Civic Center Atrium, Thursday, June 19, 4:45 pm. All are welcome! Families march in with balloons, and more!
Bridging Eight Mile Road with the Second Annual Unity Walk from 8 Mile/Van Dyke Warren, MI., side into Detroit, Thursday, August 28, 6 pm.
Call 313 530 2777.
Dedicated to families, and, to victims of human trafficking, and, to Molly Bish!
Bridging Eight Mile Road with the Second Annual Unity Walk from 8 Mile/Van Dyke Warren, MI., side into Detroit, Thursday, August 28, 6 pm.
Call 313 530 2777.
Dedicated to families, and, to victims of human trafficking, and, to Molly Bish!
Saturday, April 19, 2014
GLORIOUS EASTER!
Humans need hope.
We need healing.
Without both, life is hard.
Easter's 50 days give the evergreen virtue of hope, of possibilities amid struggles and challenges that the trek through life faces.
Faces and faith merge with hope, even healing, that morphing and mending so needed in South Korea when hundreds perish in a ferry capsizing this week, and, problems elsewhere.
The victory of Jesus Christ over death, sin, and a life lived well for the common good soothes souls.
Amid Roman and Judean rule and oppression, people sought hope from an earthly king. Jesus' kingdom is not of this world, however. It is beyond us.
We inch along and do what we can to be for and with one another in healing.
We do.
Ever so slowly.
Like the Easter bunny, or empty colored eggs, Christ is risen. And, the shell is filled with hope and healing.
Happy Easter all fifty days of celebration beyond the 40 of Lent's fasting and praying.
We need healing.
Without both, life is hard.
Easter's 50 days give the evergreen virtue of hope, of possibilities amid struggles and challenges that the trek through life faces.
Faces and faith merge with hope, even healing, that morphing and mending so needed in South Korea when hundreds perish in a ferry capsizing this week, and, problems elsewhere.
The victory of Jesus Christ over death, sin, and a life lived well for the common good soothes souls.
Amid Roman and Judean rule and oppression, people sought hope from an earthly king. Jesus' kingdom is not of this world, however. It is beyond us.
We inch along and do what we can to be for and with one another in healing.
We do.
Ever so slowly.
Like the Easter bunny, or empty colored eggs, Christ is risen. And, the shell is filled with hope and healing.
Happy Easter all fifty days of celebration beyond the 40 of Lent's fasting and praying.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Inter-religious Dialogue Good Friday, 11 am, Historic Sacred Heart Church, Roseville, MI., 48066
Join Rev. Dr. Yvette Griffin, Marge Hallman, responding, and more, on "GOOD FRIDAY GRIEF OF JESUS, THE LORD, AND, MOURNING OF MARY, A MOTHER'S, AND MORE ACROSS FAITH TRADITIONS." 586 777 9116.
THIS HOLY WEEK OF WEEKS FOR CHRISTIANS feast of feast EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 20th
LET NOTHING DISTURB YOU;
NOTHING FRIGHTEN YOU,
ALL THINGS ARE PASSING.
GOD NEVER CHANGES.
PATIENCE
OBTAINS ALL THINGS.
NOTHING
IS WANTING TO HIM OR HER WHO POSSESSES GOD.
GOD ALONE SUFFICES.
- TERESA OF AVILA, SPAIN
NOTHING FRIGHTEN YOU,
ALL THINGS ARE PASSING.
GOD NEVER CHANGES.
PATIENCE
OBTAINS ALL THINGS.
NOTHING
IS WANTING TO HIM OR HER WHO POSSESSES GOD.
GOD ALONE SUFFICES.
- TERESA OF AVILA, SPAIN
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