Challenges for the Easter Season

BY JOCELYN SIDECO | April 29, 2019
Sunday’s Readings

During this Easter season, live fuller, more overjoyed, perhaps maybe a little more uncomfortable as you challenge yourself to live and love closer to one another.

1. Believe in life beyond death: historical Jesus existed, and we are part of a great Christian legacy. This brown man’s example brought healing to segregation and marginalization. He teaches us that people are not the broken ones, our society—our laws, our customs, and the stories we tell our ourselves to maintain our power—is what is broken. Jesus surrendered into our anxieties to show that love and closeness are the antidotes to separation and fear.
2. Live into vulnerability and follow women of color: not because we are perfect, but because we have the most desire to thrive within a society that dismisses us. We are quick to go to the suffering because we know this all too well. Go there with us. Go there often. Like Mary and the other Mary did the day after the Sabbath, go to the tomb to weep. Be surprised by an earthquake and listen to the instructions on what to do next. Go to the people who have been most hurt, damaged, destroyed by society.
3. Refuse to be bribed: There are people and organizations who will try to buy your loyalty in order to construct a narrative that maintains their power. If their power brings about radical inclusion and belonging, then this is of God. If their power brings about lies, deceit, and distance from the most marginalized, then this is clearly not of God.
4. Pray with this Mexican Proverb these 50 days of Easter: They tried to bury us. They didn’t know we were seeds.

Editor’s note: This piece was originally published last Monday, April 22, as a conclusion to the Ignatian Solidarity Network’s 2019 Lenten series. New Rise Up: A Weekly Call to Solidarity reflections will resume next Monday, May 6. 

Jocelyn Sideco

Jocelyn A. Sideco is a retreat leader, spiritual director and innovative minister who specializes in mission-centered ministry. She directs the Community Service and Social Justice office at St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco, Calif., prays at St. Agnes Church, blogs for NCRonline.org, and consults with organizations like the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Visit her online ecumenical ministry, In Good Company, at ingoodcompany.net.co or email her at jocelyn@ingoodcompany.net.co.