I have recently been questioning God deeply about things that seem beyond what I can understand or even control. I, too, have felt like I am capable of torching everything I touch. What do I do when I know I'm fire?
The call of the Gospel invites us all. We are called to share the good news. How does that look for each of us? Will we stop in our tracks when given the opportunity to share? Will we say yes to the invitation?
"There are angels in our backyard," writes Sr. Joan Sauro. "They hover in the silence of the large maple tree, with now and then, a slight stir, just to say, we're here. Angels in our backyard tree."
At the first Pentecost, the desire of God "that all may be one" came about through the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us ponder another area in which this prophecy could be and should be fulfilled: the Catholic Church.
Through her encounters with migrants fleeing violence and extortion, and crossing the border between the U.S. and Mexico, Sr. Clara Malo Castrillón found parallels with the Book of Tobit, written 2,000 years ago.
"We may have an inspiration or insight during prayer or in the course of the day," writes Sr. Lissy Maruthanakuzhy. "Let us not dismiss it … Stop and try to act on it. It might be the Holy Spirit leading us."
"The future of religious life is not confined to the walls of individual congregations," writes Sr. Monique Tarabeh. "It extends to a realm where collaboration becomes the driving force for the mission."
The COVID-19 pandemic limited traveling. But through online sessions, many more sisters can now benefit from educational programs than the few who were chosen to travel in the past.
Catholic sisters from different congregations — along with lay people, interreligious and community leaders, priests and bishops — participated in a march in El Paso, Texas, supporting the dignity of immigrants.
As I reflected on Easter, I realized that the death of Christ would be in vain if we did not practice what he taught us by his exemplary living. His actions during Holy Week demonstrate how we should live with each other.
"Sometimes I wish for a more obvious God, who brings only good things into my life and saves me from pain and trial and erases my wounds," writes Sr. Stephanie Peirolo. "I know it is more complex than that."
Scripture for Life: We've heard the call to love one another, perhaps too frequently. But Christ's love is what the readings of the Sixth Sunday of Easter call forth from us and this call is likely to make us uncomfortable.
"My Muslim sister gives me a glimpse into a path to peace," writes Sr. Quincy Howard. "There is a way to sit with the pain while praying for love and healing to displace hatred and violence."
While we're thrilled with the growth we've established in the first year of GSR en español, we're more excited thinking about all that can still be done to expand our international readership — all with the power of language.
Global Sisters Report, with its global outreach and trusted reputation, has been a real gift to African sisters and to me, in my capacity as the coordinator of Africa Faith and Justice Network's Women Empowerment Project.
Reading columns has connected me to others, and I have found my own inner voice to take action by speaking out for the poor of Yahweh. In doing so, I hear the hum of the universe within.
Scripture for Life: The Sundays of Easter celebrate the resurrection and the union with God that Christ always offers — with or without our knowing it.
"The true spirit of singing the Easter Exsultet in Indian churches is found in achieving equality and liberation for Dalits, the Indigenous and minorities," writes Sr. Sujata Jena.
