Pope Francis at Madison Square Garden

"The Gospels tell us how many people came up to Jesus to ask: “Master, what must we do?” The first thing that Jesus does in response is to propose, to encourage, to motivate. He keeps telling his disciples to go, to go out. He urges them to go out and meet others where they really are, not where we think they should be. Go out, again and again, go out without fear, without hesitation. Go out and proclaim this joy which is for all the people. "

I want to cook you soup that warms your soul

Pope Francis from 911 Memorial

"Here, amid pain and grief, we also have a palpable sense of the heroic goodness which people are capable of, those hidden reserves of strength from which we can draw. In the depths of pain and suffering, you also witnessed the heights of generosity and service. Hands reached out, lives were given. In a metropolis which might seem impersonal, faceless, lonely, you demonstrated the powerful solidarity born of mutual support, love and self-sacrifice. No one thought about race, nationality, neighborhoods, religion or politics. It was all about solidarity, meeting immediate needs, brotherhood. It was about being brothers and sisters. New York City firemen walked into the crumbling towers, with no concern for their own well-being. Many succumbed; their sacrifice enabled great numbers to be saved."

Pope Francis at the United Nations

I thought of the people living in West Virginia when I heard this from Pope Francis at the United Nations in New York City.

“The misuse and destruction of the environment are also accompanied by a relentless process of exclusion. In effect, a selfish and boundless thirst for power and material prosperity leads both to the misuse of available natural resources and to the exclusion of the weak and disadvantaged, either because they are differently abled (handicapped), or because they lack adequate information and technical expertise, or are incapable of decisive political action. Economic and social exclusion is a complete denial of human fraternity and a grave offense against human rights and the environment. The poorest are those who suffer most from such offenses, for three serious reasons: they are cast off by society, forced to live off what is discarded and suffer unjustly from the abuse of the environment. They are part of today’s widespread and quietly growing “culture of waste”.

Pope Francis at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City

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"Remembrance of the amazement which our encounter with Jesus Christ awakens in our hearts. To seek the grace of remembrance so as to grow in the spirit of gratitude.  Perhaps we need to ask ourselves: are we good at counting our blessings?"

There are Wolves in the World

It seems as though there has been a lot of changes for me in the last few months. My ongoing conversation with God has been restless and fidgety lately. I try to see the events in my life through a spiritual lens.  And I try hard to understand others from inside out instead of outside in.  But I muddle.  People can be rude and laugh at things that are really divisive. They are actually mean and they just love leaving others out.  They love social cliques.  It’s the story of the “in crown” versus the “out crowd”.  I guess it is human to feel hurt and annoyed.  As you have already guessed, I am in the “out-crowd” at least with this group.  Is it time to shake the dust from my feet and just move on?   I can't completely let go due to the fact I work with these people.  But perhaps I can mentally remove myself from the situation.  I can only change how I react and how I take care of feelings. When it comes to wolves in the world, I just don’t want to squander away my time.  But then again, maybe they are the ones who need my time.

Four Examples in American History

Pope Francis lifts up four examples in American history to the U.S. Congress:
Dorothy Day:  WORK,  Martin Luther King, Jr.:  JUSTICE, Abraham Lincoln:  FREEDOM; and Thomas Merton:  FAITH.