All Faiths United

  “No justice, no peace” we hear from demonstrators in street marches.   They are voicing a fundamental truth.   Without justice, there may appear to be a form of peace, but it is fake, superficial.   Underneath the smiles, there is a simmering anger fed by smashed dreams and barriers to equality. Somewhat like the times when Jesus was born into a Palestine under the heel of Roman oppression.   Some historians have called that a time of peace, but this fake “Pax Romano” was giving birth to freedom fighters such as Barabbas, whose path would cross that of Jesus 33 years later. In his latest encyclical, Pope Francis sheds light on similar current situations by reminding us that we are all brothers and sisters. He challenges us to ponder how we will behave when we finally emerge from COVID-governed restrictions. Will some countries continue to grab instead of sharing? Will we continue to destroy our natural world? Will some people continue to put “I” before “we?”...

  In the image and likeness of God – and nothing less – were we created.  In the Christian tradition, we believe this to be our greatest inherent dignity as individuals, evenly shared among all human beings, indifferent of race, religion, or beliefs.  We are all one family – human and divine… all God’s children and all equally loved by our Father. I am your brother.  Why do you see me or treat me differently?  Is it because God would have me born to a distant land where they speak a language not your own, where perhaps someone raised me under a different faith or possibly no faith at all?  Is it the color of my skin, or could it be the vastly dissimilar opportunities that you and I have had?  But wait, my mother’s heart beat just like that of yours when they first held us in their arms.  Their tears and prayers for you and me have made their way to heaven just the same.  We could have lived and played together in bliss before the breath of ...

Thoughts Shared by Lolita Pagarani Love as Deed What does love do? ·          It connects the hearts ·          It promotes understanding ·          It heals the pain ·          It heals the loneliness ·          It speaks the loudest even without words ·          It increases with giving ·          It empowers ·          It uplifts ·          Only Light can dissolve Darkness. ·          Only love can overcome hate ·          It’s the power that can transform our world ___________________________________________________________...

CHARITY AND JUSTICE Many people view charity as very different from justice in that charity equals social service and justice equals social change.   Also, charity is directed at the effects of injustice, its symptoms; while justice promotes social change in institutions or political structures.   All this is true.   But there are some ways that charity and justice are in close relationship to each other and effect each other. Many people are involved in individual charitable acts that help their neighbor or community.   With these charitable acts they are hoping for social change.   Christian churches have social services that they offer to the public.   Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, Methodist Mission Social Services, and Baptist Community Services are just a few Christian social organizations offering charitable services to the public.   These organizations do not directly separate social service from social change. ...

Downside Up Together Each and every day, We are invited to stand downside up, reaching For the promise of new life grounded in faith like …Seed planted in rich soil …Bounty based in bonding self to self …Grace grown out of giving away …Blessing blooming in the merciful dregs of justice …New life lifted up, rising out of dark, unguarded tomb Each and every day, We are amazed by …The story of God’s transforming power throughout the universe We see the earth’s creative energies …In elements of nature and genes of ancestry We re-tell the history of human mind and skill …Turned toward art, ritual, story and communal fire We hear the upending words of Jesus …In parable, sermon, and spirit We witness … The ever-new transfiguration of the promise of life Each and every day We are called to walk … A narrow road, a common way We are sent forth to grow holy family …Faithful in word and ever-forgiving heart We are gathered to form community...

Reflection on Choices and Transitions Sr. Ann Hayden, MM April 19, 2020 “Let us help one another move forward.” In this time of COVID-19, as we see images of a shared human struggle for life, we have begun to feel particularly close to peoples near and far of all faiths, diverse cultures, and different political leanings.   We have adjusted, in spite of our fear, and anxiety for   loved ones in family and among friends, to our efforts to invent new ways to spend time to enrich our relationships with fun, art, music, reflection, poetry, and prayer. In recent holy days of mutual human need, we have witnessed an immense outpouring of love and care for our neighbors; and for the heroes that are saving lives, providing food, safety, needed services, and essential travel.   We are filled with gratefulness and creativity in simple service to family, students, and strangers alike.   Even in this time of extreme vulnerability, we have certainly experienced...

In his Daily Meditation of November 30, 2019, Episcopal priest Matthew Fox says, “To be a spiritual adult is to be both mystic (lover) and prophet (one who speaks out about injustice).” 1 Being both mystic and prophet is something I have been reflecting on in the past few months. To be both mystic and prophet can be a challenge.   I must admit that most of my life I have concentrated more on being a lover than speaking out.   But, in our current world situation, I feel that no matter what religion we profess, we must speak out against injustice. As people of various faith traditions, what can we speak out against?   Below are four areas where I believe we can make our voices heard. Gun Control:   Speak out against the senseless killing of human beings by guns.   Semi-automatic assault weapons are a class of firearms designed for war.   Could we at least ban this type of rifle? Human Trafficking:   Speak out against this slavery...

Gratefulness: A Window of Light in the Darkness Thanksgiving and Advent Reflection 2019 by Ann Hayden, MM Window of Light It was a time of religious upheaval and When the angry, ugly mob withdrew Crystal beauty lay in a shattered heap on the floor In calm of darkest night, the pieces were collected in courage In love, they were washed of anger, and sorted one by one In patience, they were prayerfully placed for sacred purpose Shattered shards were transformed into window to let in the light To shine in glorious colors of hope for the courageous; To glow as soft colors of peace for the patient; To shine like a healing wash over the broken, over the damaged, and even over the ugly mob. There is so much to be grateful for in life these days. The approach of Thanksgiving Day here in the Rio Grande Valley has called forth efforts for inter-religious prayer services and dialogue sessions; and has inspired the efforts of community organizations, faith congr...

Prayer… stillness… being with God by Sr. Shirley Mueller  I used to pray that God would feed the hungry, Or do this or that, but now I pray that he will guide me to do whatever I’m supposed to do, what I can do. I used to pray for answers, but now I’m praying for strength. I used to believe that prayer changes things, But now I know that prayer changes us and we change things. St. Mother Teresa   T he hallmark of prayer is the finding and becoming one with stillness. It is so amazing to me that God can dwell within us and be at the heart of the mystery of the Universe. I often think of the profound mystery of two molecules of hydrogen forming a unique relationship with one molecule of oxygen to give us water in all its varied forms to be the wonderful conveyor of life. In the deep silence of the Universe billions of star galaxies move in harmony to manifest such glory. In the deep silence of the mystery of water within us, as we continue to be...

Reflection:  History Past and History Yet To Be November 4, 2019 By Ann Hayden, MM  History has long given us endless examples of violent efforts to decimate culture, art, religion and tradition built up by peoples that are feared, hated, and sacrificed as scapegoats to bigoted ideals of supremacy and power. The violence has been unrelenting and can be chronicled in the stories of ancient conquests; of middle-age crusades; of inquisitions; of reformations; of religious persecution; and of 1 5 th , 1 6 th , 1 7 th , 1 8 th , 1 9 th , 2 0 th , and   21 st century modern colonization of natural resources, slavery, and wars fostered by European, Middle East, Asian and North American military, economic, religious, and political powerbrokers.     In our lifetime and the lifetimes of our parents and grand-parents, human beings (like you and me) have been forced onto reservations, have been trafficked as slaves, murdered in pogroms, gassed in trenc...