Thank you for the link to your column! I've been thinking a lot about family life as the microcosm of the full expressions of care that we're called to. What important work, to keep insisting on the fundamental wisdom of caretakers.
It seems we have become a country of extremes: All DEI, no DEI. Totally open borders, totally closed borders. Far left, far right. My prayer is that God, by His grace, will steer the country's rudder to the middle.
Wisely said, Bob. Thank you for sharing this. I started the day by reading John 14 where Jesus says "I am the way and the truth and the life" and was struck again by his divine wisdom. The way is Jesus. The way of Jesus will never align with any political party or platform. So as followers of Jesus, we are called to keep seeking God as we seek for the wisdom to navigate these choppy waters here below.
Laura, I clicked on link to the USA Today article on the boycott day.
“Consumers are preparing for a 24-hour economic blackout on Friday, one of several boycotts planned by groups of consumers or activists to protest what they call corporate greed, companies that have rolled back their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and President Donald Trump's efforts to eliminate federal DEI programs since taking office.”
Is your support leaning towards the corporate greed or the rolling back of DEI programs?
I am all in for the corporate greed aspect, but, not quite on the DEI part.
I have been witness to the ramifications of an individual’s non-compliance.
Because of that aspect, I am not sure I can participate.
Hi Liz, thanks for reaching out. I'm deeply concerned about the group of oligarchs (one of whom was never elected) leading our country toward what seems to me to be a clear worship of money over all else (evidenced yesterday by the video that the president posted with a giant golden statue of himself in the Holy Land and people dancing while they tossed money into the air). I have been gravely concerned about corporate greed for a long time, and I think it's crucial that people of faith stand up against what Jesus clearly spoke about: you cannot serve both God and mammon.
I answered a question below about the DEI programs, which do also deeply concern me as a person of faith. I believe these efforts have brought about much good but have also been demonized for political gain, to the detriment of marginalized communities who have benefited from them. I have so many friends and family members who have been able to access education, employment, and other life-changing opportunities through such initiatives. So I believe it's throwing the baby out with the bathwater to immediately demonize and dismantle what could have been prudently examined and changed in order to promote the goals to truly support life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all.
I agree. I was surprised to see this link and what the “blackout” supported. DEI has undermined people of merit, and instead allowed people positions based on skin color, gender, and sexual preferences (especially those outside natural law) - all in the name of diversity. It’s actually increased racism and prejudices, and helped to destroy masculinity in our culture. There is a crisis in our country and it’s about men who have been degraded from their natural manhood by these radical agendas.
Hi Sam, thanks for reaching out. When I started Mothering Spirit in 2021, it was with the mission "to lift up the words and work of new and emerging writers, especially women of color whose stories have not always been told in all churches and communities." This has been life-giving work for the writers and for me, to get to invite them into a space where they can speak and be heard. I have witnessed firsthand the gifts that can come when people from historically marginalized groups are given opportunities that have long been denied to them, for example, Black Catholics. And I have personally benefited from being invited into programs that would formerly not have been open to me as a Catholic or as a woman. So I am deeply grieved by the sudden, widespread, and imprudent dismantling of efforts that work toward justice without consideration for the impact. You might be interested in this article, as I was; it made me consider a whole new side of this very complicated issue: https://www.startribune.com/st-thomas-loses-grant-to-bolster-states-teacher-supply-after-trump-labels-it-a-dei-initiative/601221728
Sam, I have long made it a tenet of my work not to argue with strangers on the internet, so I don't have any illusions that you and I will come to an agreement on any complicated issue, certainly not in the limited space of a comment box. But I will ask for your prayers and assure you of mine. I believe that people of faith can hold very different political positions (for example, supporting efforts to promote diversity but disagreeing on DEI programs) and still keep their eyes on common goals, above all, Jesus.
Thank you for your comment, Laura. I do agree there is good in helping marginalized groups, but we can’t do it at the expense of marginalizing another group. The means to the end must be carefully examined. This is a complex issue, and one that definitely needs the hand of God.
I will pray, and appreciate your charitable discourse. I agree about arguing on the internet. It’s tricky to discern tone, and can lead to misunderstandings very quickly.
I will read the article you shared in your response to me, as well. Thank you for sharing your essays.
Thank you, Sam, I really appreciate your response. The situation at St. Thomas has been heart-breaking. The Minneapolis paper has done a good job covering it, and it’s devastating to see the unexpected impacts on new teachers who are so needed right now. I was glad to see that the university said they would try to work to cover the program as best they could this year, but I keep praying for wisdom and prudence to guide all of us going forward. I think the unintended losses will be many. And could not agree with you more that we need God’s hand to guide us!
Dear Erin, I'm glad the internet is vast and wide so that you can find other places to nurture you. It's crystal clear to me that right now is a time of widespread injustice that calls for people of faith to speak louder and do more. Every minute I spend studying Scripture only deepens this conviction. I will not quiet down. My faith compels me.
Thank you for the link to your column! I've been thinking a lot about family life as the microcosm of the full expressions of care that we're called to. What important work, to keep insisting on the fundamental wisdom of caretakers.
And thanks for sharing my piece!💚
It’s a fantastic essay, I’ve read it 3x and gotten something new every time. Thank you for always urging us forward with a steady hand to the back.
It seems we have become a country of extremes: All DEI, no DEI. Totally open borders, totally closed borders. Far left, far right. My prayer is that God, by His grace, will steer the country's rudder to the middle.
Wisely said, Bob. Thank you for sharing this. I started the day by reading John 14 where Jesus says "I am the way and the truth and the life" and was struck again by his divine wisdom. The way is Jesus. The way of Jesus will never align with any political party or platform. So as followers of Jesus, we are called to keep seeking God as we seek for the wisdom to navigate these choppy waters here below.
Laura, I clicked on link to the USA Today article on the boycott day.
“Consumers are preparing for a 24-hour economic blackout on Friday, one of several boycotts planned by groups of consumers or activists to protest what they call corporate greed, companies that have rolled back their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and President Donald Trump's efforts to eliminate federal DEI programs since taking office.”
Is your support leaning towards the corporate greed or the rolling back of DEI programs?
I am all in for the corporate greed aspect, but, not quite on the DEI part.
I have been witness to the ramifications of an individual’s non-compliance.
Because of that aspect, I am not sure I can participate.
Hi Liz, thanks for reaching out. I'm deeply concerned about the group of oligarchs (one of whom was never elected) leading our country toward what seems to me to be a clear worship of money over all else (evidenced yesterday by the video that the president posted with a giant golden statue of himself in the Holy Land and people dancing while they tossed money into the air). I have been gravely concerned about corporate greed for a long time, and I think it's crucial that people of faith stand up against what Jesus clearly spoke about: you cannot serve both God and mammon.
I answered a question below about the DEI programs, which do also deeply concern me as a person of faith. I believe these efforts have brought about much good but have also been demonized for political gain, to the detriment of marginalized communities who have benefited from them. I have so many friends and family members who have been able to access education, employment, and other life-changing opportunities through such initiatives. So I believe it's throwing the baby out with the bathwater to immediately demonize and dismantle what could have been prudently examined and changed in order to promote the goals to truly support life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all.
I agree. I was surprised to see this link and what the “blackout” supported. DEI has undermined people of merit, and instead allowed people positions based on skin color, gender, and sexual preferences (especially those outside natural law) - all in the name of diversity. It’s actually increased racism and prejudices, and helped to destroy masculinity in our culture. There is a crisis in our country and it’s about men who have been degraded from their natural manhood by these radical agendas.
Hi Sam, thanks for reaching out. When I started Mothering Spirit in 2021, it was with the mission "to lift up the words and work of new and emerging writers, especially women of color whose stories have not always been told in all churches and communities." This has been life-giving work for the writers and for me, to get to invite them into a space where they can speak and be heard. I have witnessed firsthand the gifts that can come when people from historically marginalized groups are given opportunities that have long been denied to them, for example, Black Catholics. And I have personally benefited from being invited into programs that would formerly not have been open to me as a Catholic or as a woman. So I am deeply grieved by the sudden, widespread, and imprudent dismantling of efforts that work toward justice without consideration for the impact. You might be interested in this article, as I was; it made me consider a whole new side of this very complicated issue: https://www.startribune.com/st-thomas-loses-grant-to-bolster-states-teacher-supply-after-trump-labels-it-a-dei-initiative/601221728
Sam, I have long made it a tenet of my work not to argue with strangers on the internet, so I don't have any illusions that you and I will come to an agreement on any complicated issue, certainly not in the limited space of a comment box. But I will ask for your prayers and assure you of mine. I believe that people of faith can hold very different political positions (for example, supporting efforts to promote diversity but disagreeing on DEI programs) and still keep their eyes on common goals, above all, Jesus.
Thank you for your comment, Laura. I do agree there is good in helping marginalized groups, but we can’t do it at the expense of marginalizing another group. The means to the end must be carefully examined. This is a complex issue, and one that definitely needs the hand of God.
I will pray, and appreciate your charitable discourse. I agree about arguing on the internet. It’s tricky to discern tone, and can lead to misunderstandings very quickly.
I will read the article you shared in your response to me, as well. Thank you for sharing your essays.
Thank you, Sam, I really appreciate your response. The situation at St. Thomas has been heart-breaking. The Minneapolis paper has done a good job covering it, and it’s devastating to see the unexpected impacts on new teachers who are so needed right now. I was glad to see that the university said they would try to work to cover the program as best they could this year, but I keep praying for wisdom and prudence to guide all of us going forward. I think the unintended losses will be many. And could not agree with you more that we need God’s hand to guide us!
Your politics are a bit too loud right now. Wish we could stay focused on shared faith.
Dear Erin, I'm glad the internet is vast and wide so that you can find other places to nurture you. It's crystal clear to me that right now is a time of widespread injustice that calls for people of faith to speak louder and do more. Every minute I spend studying Scripture only deepens this conviction. I will not quiet down. My faith compels me.