encounters allowed

It’s really hard that living the Gospel and following Jesus means that we are willing to encounter the injustices in society and experience poverty. It’s not easy that being Easter people- living up to the resurrection- means that we allow ourselves to encounter the uncomfortable places in our lives and our world. Loving Jesus makes [...]

seven days of salvation

strangers grip palms, bond at bus stops grins by glory, pilgrims unite onward, hosannas and hellos true buzz on the street: whisper, plot, might centuries of destruction and war ring doom age the days of tension, hoping who can save us from our plight? bright spring moon, free, feasting friends wash feet; bread, wine multiply [...]

On the corner of 12th Ave. and Jefferson

True story shared by guest blogger Liz  Diedrich I was happy to see William pull up next to me on his bike. Last I heard he had been stabbed in a fight and I did not know the extent of his injuries. Surprised at the opportunity, I ask him how he was doing. He seems [...]

love in the dark

The actions of Lent lead me through valleys of reflection.  As I serve and share I keep thinking and praying. I’ve been wondering: What does love look like in the dark? What is it really like to trust God when things are hard? Why must we go through uncomfortable repentance and detachment to really be [...]

consciousness, change and Joseph Kony

A lot of interesting things are happening in the movements for change in our society.  Videos are going viral, the Occupy movement continues, we’ve experienced an Arab Spring, and our nation is divided so much about issues (like wealth, poverty, war, abortion, contraception and sexuality) that I’m beginning to wonder if the two-party political system [...]

the weirdness of witnessing

It’s not easy living a public life. Sometimes I’d rather be anonymous or just completely unnoticed.  It’s a lot of pressure because those who know that I am a Franciscan sister, a Christian and a modern follower of Jesus are paying attention to my moves.  What type of picture am I painting about what radical Christian [...]

advice at the start

Here is a poem drafted from advice given to me by experienced, wise Franciscans as I set out to start my ministry at this high school three years ago. I am so grateful that they warned me and gave me good blessings when it began … If you think you can do this without making [...]

“What if it’s too hard?!”

My students are brilliant.  They endure so much and remain hopeful and faithful.  Prayers of gratitude pour out of them easier than on-time assignments.  Every day I hear praise that God gave them another day.  It’s amazing to me.  But, it shouldn’t be. They’re teenagers and they know they have a life of greatness ahead [...]

a mucky way of peace

As I continue to try to be a faithful disciple of Jesus I continually confront the messy, cluttered commotion along the Way.  I feel like I keep switching from being stunned by the beauty and caught in my human confusion. The words I pray every morning stir my questions: “Blessed be the Lord, the God [...]

Resolute acceptance

Guest blogger: Steven Cottam  Grace strikes us when we are in great pain and restlessness… it strikes us when year after year, the longed for perfection of life does not appear, when the old compulsions reign within us as they have for decades, when despair destroys all joy and courage. Sometimes at that moment a [...]