Henry David Thoreau said that most people live in quiet desperation, while the sayings of the Desert Fathers suggest we allow the fire of the Holy Spirit to burn within. Most of us, I suppose, dwell somewhere in between these extremes. Every so often we have a flicker, but the demands of daily life keep us a safe distance from the "fire" of the Holy Spirit. We really want to do the Lord’s work, but somewhere among careers, paying the bills, running kids to activities, and date night with our spouse, it’s hard to find time to talk with the Lord, much less get involved with a cause or parish endeavor. I posed this situation to my Street Theologian. (Some people have housekeepers, personal bankers, spiritual advisors, investment counselors – not me! I have my very own theologian.) Her name is Sister Susan, OSJ. She has spent 40-some years as a teacher, mental health counselor, AIDS hospice worker, working with prostitutes, addicts, battered women and children, the destitute and homeless, along with other duties we assume the "good nuns" are doing on a routine basis. "Sister Susan," I asked one Saturday morning, "what can most Catholics do on a daily basis to be turned into fire? How can they raise a family, provide a living, and still stop the inane production of nuclear weapons, end war, wipe out hunger, provide for the homeless, the sick, the elderly, and not slide into quiet desperation?" "Well," Sister said, "the most important thing parents can do is be good, Christ-like parents. Instill proper values, demand discipline and respect. Spend time with the children, let them know they are valued and loved by them and by God. Teach them to pray. Let them see Jesus as a friend, not a mystery or a story out of a book. Most of the hookers and addicts I worked with on the street did not have a clue who Jesus was, much less how to talk with him. Then they need to keep Jesus and his teachings in mind when having a discussion with acquaintances at work, when sitting at the kids’ games, or having a beer with a buddy." "What kind of discussions?" I asked. "For example, when your neighbor brings up the topic of immigration or the death penalty, don’t be afraid to talk about what Jesus said, what Scripture says, what your Church teaches. Whoever said never to talk about politics and religion had it all wrong." "They might think I’m trying to start an argument, or think I’m crazy." "They call it carrying your cross," she responded with a smile. "Will this really stop war, end hunger, prevent the spread of AIDS, stop the ethnic cleansing, solve immigration, clean up the health care mess, save the rain forests, end unemployment?" "Don’t forget that Rosa Parks ignited a nonviolent revolution just by taking the bus to work," she answered. "Of course, we must pray all the time. All those hours spent in the car, cooking in the kitchen, just be talking with Jesus! Ask him what he wants from you today. Always thank him for all your little blessings that sometimes feel like big burdens. Every once in a while those prayers can really turn up the fire, Always smile when you leave church on Sunday – you are going to have a fun week fixing the world! Any more questions?’ If you have a question for my Street Theologian, Sister Susan, email to sttheresepandj@yahoo.com. It will be forwarded to her. Mark Neisen is a member of the Diocese of Salt Lake City’s Peace and Justice Commission.
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