St. Ignatius of Loyola
We are overwhelmed with social issues, wars, Drones, gun violence, Teaching Killing at Catholic University, Church abuse, water, air, environment issues, neglect of poor and common good, genetically modified food, and the list goes on and on. The tactics of the “powers that be”, I believe, is to throw so many concerns and issues at us they we rest in permanent defense or denial. Most issues are thought to be dealt with by letters, petitions or votes, few by nonviolent actions by a few. Few issues gather any momentum, like the march on the Wisconsin capital in Madison or the Occupy movement and, if they do, they are shortly dismissed and fade away. We look to leaders to pull us together and outside of politicians that pull us apart there are none. It is easier to live in denial of the Fall of the Empire than see it happen.
What to do? Stay asleep is an appealing choice; another is “you have your opinion on the matter and I have my opinion of the matter and we must agree to disagree”; or “do you own thing” just do not hurt anybody important and American.
The media is part of the problem pushing for our “acceptance of this filthy, rotten system.” (Dorothy Day). The liberal and conservative press gives two sides of the same thing.
What can I do? Just try to stay on the offensive, help my friend Ann move to a safe place tomorrow; continue to struggle for Marquette to teach war and killing no more, struggle for the Catholic Church in Milwaukee to give the 1.1 million dollars back to neighborhoods from which he came; work and pray for a revolution of heart in myself, try to create a better environment when it is easier to be good, listen and serve all my brothers, sister and children in need, suffer but not react to those who might insult you in Jesus’ name, act but not react to injustice and violence.
Looking over my day today I am please to say I talked by phone with friends, some seeking help or someone to talk to; I am glad to setting up home visits to people in need; What I do not like, all the time I spent trying to set up a new sound system, something we purchased for enjoyment but so far it swallowed lots of time and still does not work. Discerning my day I find joy and consolation in my conversations with friends and desolation in my frustration with new things.
St. Ignatius of Loyola asked us to do a daily examen of consciousness to discern what brought us consolation and what brought us despoliation so we can better prepare for tomorrow. Maybe this is what the world needs, Discernment of Spirits, in order that we not be divided but work together, struggle with joy in the pursuit of speaking truth to power, closing military bases on Catholic campuses or directing Church money to the blessed ones of Jesus. Let us go where we find joy and peace and avoid the daemons of individualism, defensiveness or reaction.
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