Who Are You? Whose Are You? - Franciscan Community Volunteers enter Lent

Just 6 weeks ago many of us were talking about “New Year’s Resolutions.” We looked back on 2011 to count blessings and perhaps admit some regrets. As the new year was beginning we asked ourselves and perhaps each other: “So what’s your new year’s resolution this year going to be?” Time has flown by fast and, if you are like me, you might be a bit unsure about whether that resolution is being kept or even remembered.

Now the season of Lent is upon us. I recall that, when I was a child, Lent was another time to make resolutions. I remember asking myself and others: “So what are we (you) planning to do for Lent this year?” Ash Wednesday begins a 6-week period of preparation for Easter, and it is timely to ask: “Where am I on my journey of life? Are there resolutions to be made?”

The Church speaks of Lent as a time for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Why? There are two fundamental questions that need to be reflected on to bring a life of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving into perspective—who am I? and whose am I? These questions are inter-related and draw us to reflect on our relationship with God and with one another. St. Francis frequently pondered: “Who are you, O God” and “Who am I?” As he did, he found himself in deep prayer and responded: “My God and my All!” When he prayed like this no other words seemed necessary. Francis saw God as totally loving, totally good, and totally merciful. He saw his own worth as coming totally from God. The more Francis considered the greatness of God the more he knew to whom he belonged. Francis realized his own poverty and nothingness without God and thus could pray: “My God and My All.“

May our Lenten prayer, fasting, and almsgiving lead us to a positive and intimate relationship with our God. As that relationship intensifies, we will know that, in God, we are intimately connected with each other. In the Franciscan journey of life, God is at the center, and we are all sisters and brothers. May this Lenten season help us to realize “Who We Are” and “Whose We Are.”

Franciscan Community Volunteers reflects back on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day might be my favorite holiday of the year in the United States. This is the one day of the year we don’t argue over whether social issues matter. This is the one day of the year we don’t feel scared to talk about racism, privilege, and their enduring scars on our society. This is the one day of the year the nation is called together to acts of service in honor of our history and the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

I also appreciate being reminded, every year, to reflect on my own privilege. On Sojourner’s God’s Politics blog Ruth Hawley-Lowry wrote an article entitled, “Martin Luther King Sunday is Not Just for Black People.” She writes, “We live in a nation where ‘racism is in the air we breathe and the water we drink,’ as the Rev. Dr. Gardner Taylor (a confidant of Dr. King) observes. We who are in the majority culture must acknowledge and confess that we benefit from the privileges we receive.“

Hawley-Lowry’s challenge to all of us is to not only work against racism, but also whatever may be our racially-based, unearned privileges. As a member of the racial majority in our country, I ask myself, how can I live so that, at least in some small way, I counteract the generations of oppression of racial minorities, and the privilege given to my own race? At the very least, I try to maintain an awareness of my privilege and communicate about it with others. Part of counteracting my privilege, however, has also meant being uncomfortable. When close friends, professional contacts, or even my own family states racist remarks, whether intended or not, whether “positive stereotypes” or not, how do I react? How can I be clear, while expressing compassion, that this remark was not okay? None of this has come easy to me, and I am continually making mistakes and admitting that I too, am a “recovering racist,” socialized into my privilege, tripping a bit as I try to find my way forward.

And that is why Martin Luther King Day is so important - it is a stunning reminder that we must keep challenging our racially prejudiced systems, communities, and sometimes, even, selves. We hear the words every year -- King’s “I Have a Dream Speech,” radio excerpts of his assassination, and the voices of those who shared in his struggle. If anyone was uncomfortable, in danger, or struggled against hatred, it was King, and yet he cultivated his own courage, changing our country forever.

I just want to end with a quick YouTube video celebrating some of the lesser known sayings of Martin Luther King Jr. He promoted some pretty radical ideas about social justice, the need to end militarism, and the importance of changing our economic system. His ideas still ring true today, as the nonviolent social action Gandhi and King laid out continue to bring down corrupt leaders in the Arab World. And his words still challenge us to a different sort of social order, one of justice, love and forgiveness – words so relevant in our time of economic depression and electoral hate.

One last video - because how could I resist? Here are some local MN celebrities singing We Shall Overcome and quoting MLK. This video is a little inspiration to keep the MLK Day spirit going through each day of this next year!

More of my MLK Day reflections, including some of what has been written here, will be included in our upcoming FCV newsletter.

AZ

Modern Day Slavery: Human Trafficking

I was reminded today by Jeff Odendahl, Director of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation for the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls that today has been designated “National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.” He wrote this message to us:

"Human Trafficking or Trafficking of Persons is modern-day slavery. Human Trafficking is defined as controlling a person through force, fraud or coercion—physical or psychological—to exploi...t the person for forced labor, sexual exploitation, or both.The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops estimates that annually 800,000 persons are trafficked across international borders and 17,500 are trafficked into the US annually: 80% are women; 15% are children; and 5% are men. Trafficking is the fastest growing criminal activity throughout the world.Victims of Human Trafficking can be found in sweatshops, forced prostitution, domestic servitude, restaurants, agriculture, construction, hotel/motel cleaning services, and nail salons to name a few.

Pope John Paul II called human trafficking 'a shocking offense against human dignity and a grave violation of fundamental human rights.' Pope Benedict XVI addresses the trafficking in human beings, especially of women and girls, as 'a scourge.'As people of faith we are challenged to raise awareness about this heinous crime against women, children and men and to work and pray toward ending it in our lifetime."

A couple of months ago we spent a community night learning about human trafficking. We learned why it happens, where it can be found, and how we can work against it. Trafficking can be a sobering topic to talk about, and often, after such presentations I find myself on edge, suspicious of others around me. Trafficking happens under our noses. Indeed human trafficking is the fastest growing black market crime on the planet, second only to drug dealing. Human Trafficking generates an estimated $32 billion dollars each year (UN). I used to work as a case manager with trafficking victims and I hear of cases in rural areas, suburbs, cities, including wealthy families and primps, I hear of abuse of all types of women, regardless of race or nationality, and abuse of men as well. It is easy to feel, on hand, as if everyone could be a possible trafficker, or on the other hand, that doing anything about trafficking is hopeless. But trafficking thrives because it is both immensely profitable and easy to do. Our laws and our awareness aren't enough yet to fully combat this terrible crime.

But there are things you can do, there is hope. First, it is incredibly important to educate yourself and others. Visit the Polaris Project website, their website is the place to learn about trafficking. And here is a resource from the Polaris Project to help you recognize the signs of Human trafficking:

If you see any of these red flags, contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at 1-888-3737-888 to report the situation. Click here to learn more about reporting potential human trafficking situations. This list is not exhaustive and represents only a selection of possible indicators. Also, the red flags in this list may not be present in all trafficking cases and are not cumulative.

Common Work and Living Conditions: The Individual(s) in Question:

• Is not free to leave or come and go as he/she wishes


• Is under 18 and is providing commercial sex acts


• Is in the commercial sex industry and has a pimp / manager


• Is unpaid, paid very little, or paid only through tips


• Works excessively long and/or unusual hours


• Is not allowed breaks or suffers under unusual restrictions at work


• Owes a large debt and is unable to pay it off


• Was recruited through false promises concerning the nature and conditions of his/her work


• High security measures exist in the work and/or living locations (e.g. opaque windows, boarded up windows, bars on windows, barbed wire, security cameras, etc.)

Poor Mental Health or Abnormal Behavior

• Is fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or nervous/paranoid


• Exhibits unusually fearful or anxious behavior after bringing up law enforcement


• Avoids eye contact

Poor Physical Health

• Lacks health care


• Appears malnourished


• Shows signs of physical and/or sexual abuse, physical restraint, confinement, or torture

Lack of Control

• Has few or no personal possessions


• Is not in control of his/her own money, no financial records, or bank account


• Is not in control of his/her own identification documents (ID or passport)


• Is not allowed or able to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on being present and/or translating)

Other

• Claims of just visiting and inability to clarify where he/she is staying/address


• Lack of knowledge of whereabouts and/or do not know what city he/she is in


• Loss of sense of time


• Has numerous inconsistencies in his/her story

AZ

Another year for Franciscan Community Volunteers

It is our first blog post of the New Year! We send warm wishes to all our readers as the Christmas season wraps up - we hope it has been a relaxing and beautiful, family and friends-filled time for all!

Next week for community night, we'll be celebrating the Epiphany. The Epiphany is such a good time to reflect on what gifts we bring to Jesus in the form of the underserved, and what gifts we would like to cultivate in the coming year.

Here is another, short reflection from the Franciscan Action Network on just this topic:

Overjoyed at Seeing the Star

In the midst of their activity, the three wise men whose story we hear in the readings for the Epiphany of the Lord serve as a model for contemplative listening. Their action flows from their attentive discernment of received guidance. The magi set out on their journey because they perceived the sign of their times in the star which heralded "'the newborn king of the Jews'" (Mt 2:2). They proceeded to Bethlehem in response to the prophetic Hebrew Scriptures, which the chief priests and scribes shared with these first Gentile believers through the unlikely mouthpiece of Herod (cf. Mt 2:8). And "they departed for their country by another way" because they heeded the Lord's message to them in a dream warning them not to return to Herod (Mt 2:12).

In addition to the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh which the magi laid at the Christ Child's feet, they made a gift of their lives with each step of their journey in search of Him. Matthew's account reveals the sincerity and depth of their quest: "They were overjoyed at seeing the star" (2:10) and fulfilling their desire to meet this singular king of kings.

As we journey into another year of Our Lord, what exterior gifts can we offer to Christ? The way we devote our time; the way we interact with family and friends, neighbors and strangers, and other creatures; and the way we order our material goods can be signs of Christ's kingship in our lives. Interiorly, how can we offer our very selves more fully to God's love? Let us listen attentively to direction from the Lord in varied ways, that we may perceive the direction in which we will find Christ and so lead others to the same joy.

Christy Elliott

FAN Director of Care for Creation

Fourth Week of Advent

This weeks' Advent reflection comes to us from the Franciscan Action Network, check out all of their newsletters here.

Dwelling Among Us

Raise your hand, all those for whom Advent is your favorite liturgical season! Many of us love this hushed season while our culture becomes more frenetic in its clamor to shop, spend, decorate, party. We may have a foot in both worlds, yet yearn for more time to be quiet, to listen and wait in hopeful anticipation. We want more time to reflect on the rich imagery that Advent offers.

The readings the Fourth (and last) Sunday of Advent offer two images of a dwelling place for God. David, with good intention, wants to do a "home improvement" for the "ark of God," building a house of cedar to replace the tent, but God sees otherwise (cf. 2 Sm 7:5). It is among the people that God will establish a house and kingdom that "shall endure forever" (2 Sm 7:13). And when the time comes, the Word made Flesh seeks and finds a dwelling in the womb of a young Jewish girl (cf. Lk 1:26-38). Over and over the scriptures remind us that God's ways are not our ways.

The human way often runs counter to God's ways: In a recent newspaper story, a picture of hundreds of people standing in line with umbrellas all through a rainy, chilly night, hoping to be placed on a waiting list for a low-rent apartment; a TV account of an increasing number of children living in cars. These are realities in the most prosperous country in the world. These are not God's ways.

God longs to make a dwelling among us and within us. For a breathless moment, God waits for Mary's "yes" before becoming one of us and finding a home in her womb. Aren't we all home-seekers? Men and women waiting all night in the rain, children sleeping in cars, undocumented immigrants, those of us who live comfortably-all yearn for a place where we are accepted, loved, wanted. Even God desires to find a home in and among us. Even God waits for our "yes".

Perhaps God is asking you to reach out to those without homes this week. You can say "yes"! Identify a local homeless shelter and volunteer time or give a donation. Search online to find the 60 Minutes segment on "Living in Cars: Homeless Children in Florida." Read the Circle of Protection Statement to address poverty and the federal budget, which the USCCB, FAN and many other Christian organizations have signed. If there is an Occupy group in your town or city, make a visit and ask people why they intend to spend Christmas in a tent in public space. There are now a few Occupy Home groups standing vigil outside a neighbor's home, defending the family against eviction.

Sr. Marie Lucey, OSF
FAN Director of Advocacy and Member Outreach

Gaudete Sunday

I came across this short and sweet reflection on Gaudete Sunday from the blog of the Catholic Campus Ministry Association:

Monday’s Spiritual Smoothie: Joyful Recognition
Posted December 5, 2011
By Sarah Heiman

This Sunday we [celebrated] Gaudete Sunday, rejoicing that the time of the Lord is almost here. Our readings remind us that “God is the joy of my soul” and that we are to “rejoice always” and “pray without ceasing.” In John’s gospel we’re reminded of the importance of John’s role in proclaiming the coming of Christ, “one who is among you but whom you do not recognize.” During this Advent season as we wait in joyful expectation, perhaps we should take a moment to think about how Jesus is already among us but how and when we have failed to recognize him.

I wonder sometimes how our joy would be increased and more in keeping with God’s plan if we were to truly proclaim a year of favor as the first reading suggests. What would our ministry and relationships look like if forgiveness and mercy drove all of our decisions? I think we all know the joy that comes from showing compassion and generosity to others; some of the best moments and strongest friendships I’ve made have been those that happen in the context of volunteer service. It is often easy to see where Jesus is in those acts of justice and charity. But where is Jesus in the student that continually tries our patience or in the person who seems to exist solely to remind us of what our pet peeves are?

This Advent perhaps we can begin to rejoice in God by seeking for the Christ that we have failed to fully recognize. How do we point the way to Christ as John did in our role as campus ministers? Who are the people who have helped us along our own faith journeys, leading us to recognize and rejoice in God? And where have we missed God’s presence by our unwillingness or inability to proclaim the year of favor from the Lord?

Sarah Heiman is Administrative Director of Campus Ministry at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT.

The Second Week of Advent

It is the Second Week of Advent and it is just starting to sink in for me how much I love the beginning of a new liturgical year, coupled with the descent into winter.

I have to admit, I’ve been a bit spiritually dead lately, struggling to integrate prayer in my life in a way that I find life giving. But Advent always arrives providentially, just when I need a bit of a boost to give my Spirit new life. I find that the message of Advent, coupled with the spirituality of winter always helps something to blossom within me.

I first became aware of winter spirituality when I attended the Nordic prayer services at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN. Each year there are different themes, but what I remember most from the year I went was that there was feet upon feet of snow on the ground, the sky was pitch black by the time service began at 6:51pm, and we sang the mantra “the earth waits with eager longing.” And slowly, as I attended each month, it got a little less dark at 6:51pm, the snow began to recede, and that eager longing developed into the birth of Spring.

This week in Minnesota we finally hit the cold winter temperatures, usually reserved for January - temperatures in the teens, wind chills in the single digits, and overnight temps dipping below zero. You step outside and it is a shock - the burst of cold air forces you into an awareness of your surroundings. And, for me, that shock carries over to my spirituality, the cold yells out to me - “Wake up! Pay Attention to what’s around you, to what’s coming!” This weather is a perfect physical accompaniment to the liturgical season of Advent, a season that bids us all to “Be Prepared! Something great is upon us!”

I am a transplant from the South and so I often get asked “How do you handle that cold weather!?” My reply is always the same, “Yes, its really cold, but most winter days are sunny here, unlike other gray wintery places I’ve lived, such as North Carolina and Indiana. I would take colder temps and sun over warmer temps and gray any day.” And that’s the beauty of Advent - we sit in the darkness, we recognize the shocking cold that has creeped in, but a light is always shining through, a hope that something extraordinary is about to change our lives forever.