Answering the Call to Love
BY CAITLIN WRIGHT | January 18, 2021
Sunday’s Readings
In the crowds I witnessed in the videos and photographs from the Capitol earlier this month, one sign emerged among the others: “Jesus 2020.” In a scene of absolute terror—a movement spurned in hate and violence—“Jesus 2020” rose. But not as a beacon of hope and love—as a contorted calling card for the oppressors. I felt all the air leave my body. Fear creeps in. So we ask ourselves, where is God?
Even in moments of great turmoil, I still try, though it proves difficult, to find God in all things. In my search, I ask the age-old question, “If Jesus walked the Earth today, where would I find him?” And, what’s more, “How would I follow him?” These questions are not those meant to instill passive waiting, but to incite immediate action. Jesus would be found with the marginalized, teaching the ways of truth and light. As our anticipation and anxiety swells, we must continue to see ourselves as humans created by God, humans created to love one another, humans who are called to justice.
In this week’s readings, we see the Lord call to us. Let me be clear: any person, place, or action that is harmful to another is not from God. The Lord does not call us toward hate nor toward separation. The Lord calls us toward liberation and toward solidarity. For the Lord is love. How are we hearing Him? How are we listening? And, perhaps most importantly, how will we come to do His will?
Caitlin Wright considers herself an aficionado for all things Jesuit. After graduating from Creighton University (Go Jays!) in 2017 with a degree in English, Spanish, and Legal Studies, Caitlin completed a year of service with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Brooklyn, NY. She continues to reside in Brooklyn and works as an immigration counselor at Catholic Migration Services, a not-for-profit organization that provides legal aid to migrants in Brooklyn and Queens. In her free time, Caitlin enjoys going to Broadway shows, singing with the schola at the Church of St. Francis Xavier, and finding the best bagels New York has to offer.
The work of the Lord is sometimes mysterious to us. We admire the silence of those who know that to speak would bring more harm. We admire the action of those who see wrongdoing and move to assist those to do good instead. It is our consistent and constant prayer that makes the difference. In the last line of the reading of Samuel for Sunday, the Scripture states: “Samuel grew up and the Lord was with him, not permitting any word of his to be without effect”. The effect of the words I say is monumental and needs to be in keeping with the Kingdom of God both now and forever. We build His Kingdom each day by our kindness, thoughtfulness, care, and deep concern for others. We ask you to help our words have the effect you call us to in Samuel. Amen.
Violence is not the answer it doesn’t matter which side of the fence you decide to sit, we knew at least 2 months ago whoever won there was going to be some sort of anger which leads to stupidity and unwanted scenes. Both sides made threats and me personally didn’t expect what I saw.
There are too many people on both sides that believe in false material, rumors and conspiracy floating around like a annoying wasp, it has to end or it will have far greater consequences now and for the future generation growing up around it and it will be like deja vu….like sheep without there own mind taking everything in and learning bad habits.
Has for Jesus he would be ashamed of every single one of us if he were to walk on this Earth again ( Yes that would also include the supposedly peaceful rioting ), regardless of how good of a person we think or say we are…Jesus will see right through the mirage and tell you the truth but hopefully he will forgive us and teach us the right way to be towards each other.
Dear Friends–I was as upset as anyone about the riot/insurrection at the Capitol. Your question about where is Jesus in this intrigued me. I have been praying about how to embrace them as he does. As I stepped back and thought about them and the Black Lives Matter people, I saw both as people acting out of a great amount of pain. They protest as folks who have seen the rich send their jobs overseas, or lost them due to Covid. They cry out because they haven’t been heard in so long. That doesn’t excuse the violence and crimes committed, but it is helping me to love them as God does and as God loves me too, with all my flaws. We can’t heal this county if we keep hating one another and writing people off. We must struggle to understand others and why they believe as they do.
Great reflection.
Thanks for this. Gives me a lot to reflect on these next few days.
Salam,
patrick
So truly said. I pray that President-elect Joe Biden’s example and his working WITH people instead of condemning people will bring a more peaceful atmosphere.
Thank you for your thoughts. I have hope that if we give and trust our lives to the Holy Spirit to use us and move us together we can continue to build the Kingdom here on Earth. As long as LOVE abides, we can do this!!
Nice reflection. Thanks. Right action speaks louder than words.