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Living the Monastic Way in the Inner City
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Lent Begins| The Uncomfortable Journey of Reconciliation

by Melissa Borgmann-Kiemde, Visitation Companion

"Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned." Psalm 51:3

“Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.” Psalm 51:3

“Do uncomfortable things in service of justice.”  I scratched some semblance of this mantra into my iPhone Notes app when I heard Just Mercy author Bryan Stevenson speak last spring at the University of Minnesota. This invitation, from the critically acclaimed author, activist and death-row lawyer, is on my heart as I enter Lent, 2016.

Lent is an uncomfortable journey. At its best, it’s an invitation to examine our brokenness — the root causes of our behavior and thought processes that separate us from one another — and make our way toward reconciliation and the hopeful promises of new life. At it’s least, it’s a backdrop for our spiritual life unfolding on a kind of catholic social stage. In either case, we are given these forty days to walk more consciously, more uncomfortably, more intentionally toward the ultimate reconciliation of Love, Mercy, and Justice and our very human selves.

Visitation Sisters’ Lenten Focus: “We are called to reflect on the Cross of Christ looking honestly in our lives and communities, and honestly assess where we see people bearing that cross today.” (Sourcebook)

This particular Lent commences the same week as Sister Mary Margaret, my husband, Francois, and I co- presented on solidarity as part of the Salesian Second Monday series. It arrives with its unmistakable invitation to humble ourselves in the ash-crossing ritual reminding us of our broken humanity and need to see our circumstances anew. This Wednesday comes informed by the previous months of Wednesdays –with Flint’s lead water contamination reports; our polarizing political climate revealing the ever widening gaps between humans; the protests marchers proclaiming, “Black Lives Matter!”; and the death of Jamar Clark -just down the street from the monastery- bringing our ailing humanity to the fore with the cry for greater awareness, mercy, reconciliation and justice.

A few blocks from Monastery (Credit: Fibonacci Blue/Flickr)

March a few blocks from Monastery (Credit: Fibonacci Blue/Flickr)

It is within this messy dynamic of our social, political, economic and spiritual environments that I recognize my own soul seeking renewal. It is on this Ash Wednesday that I turn to receive the cross markings on my forehead –symbolizing origin and ending –and  welcome God’s mercy. Within this next forty days, I seek to do this uncomfortable work reflecting and acting. I set out this day, buoyed by the community of the Vis Sisters, our northside neighbors, the Companions and Lay Residents, my husband and child, and make my way toward Easter. I muster the courage to face my inner anger, shame, and resentments that perpetuate my separation from others. I prayerfully ask God for the patience and proximity to move toward greater solidarity of spirit with those who hurt, too. I faithfully seek to act in small, practical ways in compassionate alignment with Christ on his journey, and pray for our common destiny as one of ultimate new life.

Will you join me?

*****

A Few Lenten Resources for the Journey:

mercy-misericordia-lent-2016-3.gif

 

Mercy Misericordia: Lent 2016 by Joan Chittister (illustration by Br. Mickey McGrath, OSFS (click to order)

Daily Meditations from Loyola Press

Daily Meditations from Loyola Press (click to sign up)

 

Lent 2016 – Challenging Racism: Prayers & Reflections

 


 

Posted in Contemplative Posts, Our Neighbors and Friends, Salesian Spirituality, Uncategorized Tagged Ash Wednesday, Black Lives Matter, Bryan Stevenson, Catholic Social Teaching, Just Mercy, Lent, Lent 2016, Renewal, Repentance, Salesian Monday Night, solidarity, Sr. Mary Margaret McKenzie, Year of Mercy 1 Comment

Salesian Second Monday: The Two Francises on Catholic Social Teaching and the Fundamental Option for the Poor

Francises_smaller_size_pdfJoin us for our upcoming Salesian Second Monday, on November 9, 2015, from 6-8:30pm,  as Sr. Karen Mohan and Monica Ngeno offer their insights into Pope Francis’  call to be a voice for the voiceless. See how  Salesian spirituality helps us to respond to this social justice tenet, “The Fundamental Option for the Poor.”
What: Catholic Social Teaching and the Two Francises: Pope Francis and Francis DeSales.  Focus: The Fundamental Option for the Poor
When: November 9, 2015;
6pm – Dinner; 7pm – Presentation; 8pm – Night Prayer.
Where: 1619 Girard Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411
S. Karen and Monica

S. Karen and Monica

The speakers for this third session of our Fall line up are Sr. Karen Mohan, and religious life discerner, Monica Ngeno. Their presentation will include the Salesian resource, Justice Shall Flourish, a booklet published on the Salesian teaching of Catholic Social Justice themes.

Supper will be at 6pm and our ending time will be 8:30 pm.  This includes Night Prayer after the Presentations.

Plan to attend whatever parts of the evenings you can.
We look forward to welcoming you to this time of Salesian study and community fellowship.
 *******************************************************************************************************
RESOURCES:
S. Karen on our YouTube channel:
“What does ‘Preferential Option for the Poor’ mean for us?”
Click to Download Salesian Monday Flyer
The Busy Christian’s Guide to Catholic Social Teaching 

Posted in Calendar/ Events, Salesian Spirituality, Snapshots from the Sisters, Uncategorized Tagged Catholic Social Teaching, Fundamental Option for the Poor, Monica Ngeno, Pope Francis, Preferential Option for the Poor, S. Karen Mohan, Salesian Monday Night, St. Francis de Sales Leave a Comment

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