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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • MAY 10, 2012
Commentary
/ This Catholic Life
Our spiritual family teaches us how to live bout 15 years ago I began to search out the genealogies of my family. Over the years I have acquired pictures of family members going back four generations. As I look at the faces in those old pictures I know that I am related to them, but much of their lives remain hidden. The good news is that, every so often, I learn a new detail or hear a new story about one of my ancestors. When I do, I feel more grounded in and connected to my identity. I feel as though I know better the meaning of my name. Throughout the Easter season, we are invited to consider what it means to live in Jesus’ name — if you will; our spiritual genealogy. In Jesus’ name, the first apostles claimed their power to preach and heal the sick. In Jesus’ name, they called believers the Children of God. In Jesus’ name, they moved beyond the borders of ethnicity and social class to form a new community of disciples. Living in Jesus’ name redefined their relationship to the human family, all of creation and their past and future. Over time, this new identity disclosed a new way of living with gentiles, outsiders and strangers and even enemies.
A Sharing Faith Deacon Mickey Friesen
Living in Jesus’ name redefined their relationship to the human family, all of creation and their past and future
Seeing the others For example, it is recorded that during a plague in Rome in the 3rd century, many Romans fled and abandoned the sick out of fear. And yet, the Christians stayed and cared for the sick; including non-family members and strangers. The Christians believed this was an opportunity to lay down their lives for Christ and to serve him in their care for the sick. This act of hospitality inspired many people to consider Christian life because of how they loved and cared for outsiders and strangers. Otherness can take many forms
Mother’s Day gift one to remember CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13A
in our own day. We have our own kinds of tribalism and experiences of “us and them.” We can see how one of the most dangerous places to be is on the borders. For example, the border between Sudan and South Sudan is currently under siege because they don’t know how to relate with one another. Our own southern border with Mexico has become violent and militarized because we don’t know how to relate with the issue of immigration. Our political discourse often makes a point to demonize the other. In our personal lives, the other can be as close as one of our in-laws or a particular neighbor. The other can be found in our bodies in the form of disease and disability. What are the names for the “others” in our lives? The risen Christ welcomes others. He is the stone rejected by the builders that has become the cornerstone. He is present among the least of these. He gathers the other sheep beyond our flock. Life in Christ is founded on a life
of hospitality. Hospitality believes that the other has something to teach me. Hospitality invites and makes room for otherness. This welcoming tradition has been handed down to us in monasteries, hospitals and orphanages. Today, for example, our local efforts of Catholic Charities and global efforts of Catholic Relief Services are founded on this habit of the heart to welcome the poor, the refugee and the stranger. The Christian impulse is not to fear or run from the outsiders, but rather to welcome them as Christ. In the Letter of John, the writer says, “Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (I John 3:2). Coming to know our name in Jesus will reveal a new relationship with the rest of the world that will have implications for our living and decision-making. Welcoming the other is to welcome Christ. As in former ages, it may be our hospitality that will lead others to Christ and the church. Deacon Mickey Friesen is director of the Center for Mission.
Also adding a tip or two was Father Robert Grabner, assistant priest at Holy Trinity and St. Augustine in South St. Paul. He was there with Kalley in front of the billboard on April 27 to bless it, along with Franciscan Brother of Peace Pio King. “The one word that comes to mind is to negotiate in advance,” he said. “If a man is going to fish on Mother’s Day, that’s where the negotiation in advance comes in. There has to be some compensation for being gone on Mother’s Day. Certainly, a billboard would be a quintessential form of compensation. Or, perhaps, a night out at a fancy restaurant with the wife and/or a special day with the family.”
Best yet to come I’m sure Jon Yanta’s extraordinary gift to Kalley bought him a few extra days in the woods this fall with his bow. But Kalley has learned to see the value of his time enjoying nature, beyond what payback she may receive. And, she offers that lesson to all of those “fishing widows” out there. “Understand that your husband needs this outlet,” she said. “And, if he’s anything like my husband, he’ll come back refreshed and ready to be a better husband and dad.” Actually, as much as she likes looking at the billboard, Kalley — being the passionate pro-life activist that she is — is hoping her best gift is yet to come. “My greatest hope with this billboard,” she said, “is that at least a few of the women heading around the corner to Planned Parenthood will see it, watch the [YouTube] video and high-tail it away from that killing center so that they can celebrate Mother’s Day for years and years to come with great joy.” I think that is something all Catholic anglers can agree on — a life saved is worth all of the walleyes we could ever catch.
The greater need: A dome for the Vikings or housing for homeless? hat do you think about building a new football stadium? Many good arguments have been offered by both sides. Some people say that tax dollars should not be spent on this project, which some consider a luxury. Others say the Vikings are a community asset that impacts business, jobs and tax revenue. Wherever you stand on the issue; it isn’t the only one this session that should garner public attention, debate and careful decision making. We should also be concerned about issues like affordable housing, workforce development and investments that support our community and its residents. The Vikings have been able to attract a wide range of high-power advocates including NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Gov. Mark Dayton, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and many key legislative and business leaders who are pressing the community asset argument.
W Faith and Justice Kathy Tomlin
Talk of stadium shouldn’t mean legislators fumble the ball on housing
I am certain that these leaders understand that increased homelessness and poverty are issues that need to be addressed as well. A recent Star Tribune article on increased homelessness in the suburbs highlights how important it is to find permanent solutions to this problem.
Housing voices drowning Sadly, the many voices advocating for an investment in affordable housing through the bonding bill have been partially drowned out by the attention given the stadium. Among other strategies, housing advocates did their best to create legislative theater by having “Bill Ding” (building) all dressed up in his housing boxes trying to engage the Legislature, the media and the general public to not forget these other important funding and policy issues. Rallies, action alerts, meetings and hearings have been attended by hundreds of people. Unfortunately, as the session is
wrapping up, momentum on the bonding bill — specifically for housing — doesn’t seem to be the focus of serious attention. The Senate bonding bill contains $36 million for affordable housing, a bump from the House’s $10 million. Many advocates have been pressing the Legislature to work out a compromise that comes closer to the Senate’s position. To many of us, funding a stadium, without giving some attention to the needs of those who are struggling to put a roof over their head, every day, seems shortsighted. The affordable housing market is extremely tight as many individuals and families facing foreclosure have been forced into rental housing. This has reduced the vacancy rate for affordable rental housing to a little over 1 percent.
Not more shelters For sure, the solution to this problem isn’t building more shelters in the cities or the suburbs; the solution is to provide permanent housing that
will bring housing stability to families and individuals. Catholic Charities knows all too well that finding housing is the first step in dealing with any other barrier; housing is simply key. People who are doubled up, living on the streets or living in shelters have a much harder time paying attention to health needs, education and steady employment. Minnesota has been known as a home for the Vikings and a place that deals with the needs of those who are struggling. The state came together to build the Metrodome and in the last 15 years made significant progress in reducing homelessness. We need to weigh these decisions carefully and always with an eye toward improving the quality of life for our entire state and the region. Kathy Tomlin is director of Catholic Charities’ Office for Social Justice.