Are we listening?
BY CHRISTOPHER KERR | February 17, 2020
Sunday’s Readings
“What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard,
And what has not entered the human heart,
What God has prepared for those who live,
This God has revealed to us through the Spirit.”
1 Corinthians 2:9
“I am nineteen years old. Even though I was pregnant and already had one child, I could not stay and risk my life.”
“I had been raped and my family had been threatened and could not help me.”
“So, I left Central America and began the journey north through Mexico. Many times during the journey my children and I were scared.”
“I arrived at the U.S. border to ask for asylum and was told to wait.”
“We had to leave, we had no choice.”
Laundry hangs to dry on a barbed wire fence late in the day at a tent camp just across the border for people, mostly Central Americans, seeking asylum in the U.S. [via Shutterstock]
It is easy to let our minds immediately go to the polarized political positions on this issue. But maybe, before we go there, we need to listen a little bit more.
What emotions are we hearing in the stories of women like those I encountered?
If we were to place ourselves in their shoes, what might we hope for?
As people of God, what do we hope for them? For their children?
“What God has prepared for those who live,
This God has revealed to us through the Spirit.”
What is the Spirit telling us?
Chris joined the Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN) as executive director in 2011. He has over fifteen years of experience in social justice advocacy and leadership in Catholic education and ministry. Prior to ISN he served in multiple roles at John Carroll University, including coordinating international immersion experience and social justice education programming as an inaugural co-director of John Carroll’s Arrupe Scholars Program for Social Action. Prior to his time at John Carroll he served as a teacher and administrator at the elementary and secondary levels in Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. Chris speaks regularly at campuses and parishes about social justice education and advocacy, Jesuit mission, and a broad range of social justice issues. He currently serves on the board of directors for Christians for Peace in El Salvador (CRISPAZ). Chris earned a B.A. and M.A. from John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio. He and his family reside in Shaker Heights, Ohio.
“When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.” The Dalai Lama
I had enjoy the reflections during lent they have been very helpful at this difficult time. Please continue to share with us your wisdom and inspirations
Thank you