Justice At The Table

It was a busy later July and early August experiencing the wonders of God’s creation, learning to be better advocate for others, helping those in need, grieving for the loss of my brother.

4th Avenue United Methodist, Louisville – photo (c) 2012 John M. KIngery

Last summer, I attended the Social Action Summer Institute.   This year it was held at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky.   The state is known for its bluegrass, horse racing and bourbon.  Louisville is the birthplace of boxer Muhammad Ali, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louise Brandies.  Each fought and in Mohammed’s case continues to struggle for others.  Ali’s views on the Vietnam War some consider lead Martin Luther King Jr. to speak out against that conflict.  Justice Brandies was referred to as a “militant crusader for social justice whoever his opponent might be” by Chief Justice William O. Douglas.  Bellarmine University, a Catholic university founded in 1950 was the first school open to all races in Kentucky.   It is also home to the Thomas Merton Studies Center.   

Downtown Louisville photo (c) 2012 John M. Kingery

For me, the area is one of good and caring people – the couple who helped me to find a restaurant while I was wondering   in the 100 degree heat, and Tony at the restaurant, who gave me directions and a bus ticket so I could go downtown.   The good and caring also included the staff at Bellarmine University.   I am grateful to have shared time with over two hundred people from the United States and Canada who are committed to bringing God’s message into being through working and living the message of Social Justice.   I have created a short presentation about this inspiring conference.  Click hear to view it as a pdf version –Called to Transformative Community

After the conference, I had the privilege of working with Br. Steve Hero and others from around in country on rebuilding efforts in Henryville, Indiana.  The area was devastated by a tornado in March 2012.  We learn and we must also serve.

Next to St. Bellarmine (c) 2012 John M. Kingery

In closing, I would like to acknowledge the following individuals – Janet Donohue, Lisa Stiller, Matt Cato, Richard Coll, Theresa Orozco, John Barrett, Michael Diebold, Jeanine Freeman, Edward Huff, Glenn Leach, Meg Olson, Kirsten Schenk, Meg Olson, Sr, Precilla Takuh, Fran Rojette, Kathy Langer, Adam Brown, Janet Svelik, and Bro. Steven Hero.  They helped make this a memorable and life changing experience.  I am indebted to my family and friends who provided me encouragement and support.  

Finally, thank you to my wife Ann for dealing with my nearly ten day absence from home and her love.  Her compassion and concern for others amid her own suffering gives me strength.

In Christ and Peace,

John

“Be compassionate as you Father is compassionate.  Do no judge, and you will not be judged.  Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.  Pardon and you shall be pardoned.  Give and it will be given to you.  Good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into the fold of you garment.  For the measure you measure with will be given measured back to you.”       

Luke 6:36-38

Freedom to Love Copyright John M. KIngery 2012

Nearly three years ago, I applied for my position with Outside In as data analyst/administrator.   I had not worked for thirteen months, and our savings and Cobra health care benefits were nearly exhausted.   A friend of mine had seen the job posting on Craigslist and suggested I apply.  I would be using my technical skills in helping homeless youth and the poor.   It was an intriguing opportunity for growth and transitions, plus income we desperately needed. 

I received a phone call from Ann while attending a support group for the unemployed.  Someone actually wanted to interview me!  What would it be like working again?  What was Outside In like?  I visited the website www.outsidein.org.  I was impressed reading about their extensive medical and youth services including a medical van, transitional housing, plus educational and employment services.

On the day of the interview, I walked down from the light rail station crossing over the freeway.  I prayed God would help me to do well in the interview and show me if this was where I was called to be.    Did this middle aged person from the suburbs fit in? 

A week or so later, I was hired.  Over time, I have become more comfortable and connected with our clients.  My job is still in the back supporting our caring and innovative staff and volunteers.  I have heard the joy in a client’s voice announcing he had received his graduated.  Earlier this year, I was able to the excellent short films created by some of our clients.  There have been tragedies such as client suicides.  Events such as those deeply affect us.

My wife and I have not been blessed with children except for nieces and nephews.  The Outside In clients are in a way an extended family.  They are homeless for a variety of reasons – family, drugs, alcoholism, abuse and sexual orientation.  As I see it, they are God’s children too and anything we can do to bring them from the outside in is something worth doing.  

These young people and older poor we serve have helped me to be more compassionate, less judgmental.  They and my co-workers have given much to me pressed down and running over!

In closing, I want share the following that was sent by a co-worker a few weeks ago.

See that pregnant teen over there? She was raped. See that guy doing his homework from last night? He convinced his friend out of suicide. See that man with the ugly scars? He fought for our country. See that guy who is sobbing? His mother is dying. See that show-off guy? He’s standing up to bullies. See that fat woman? She has a health problem. Don’t judge people. You don’t know their life.

Peace

John

Freedom to Love Copyright John M. KIngery 2012

“Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I go back again.” Job 1:21

Over the last few months there has been an on-going battle with regards to women’s health, contraception and abortion.  Each side has staked out their position with passion and convinced they have the answer.  I watched Dr. Charmaine Yoest, President and CEO of Americans United for Life, debate Virginia ultrasound legislation with Nancy Keenan of NARAL on the PBS NewsHour with Judy Woodruff on Thursday, February 23, 2012. You can see the video at http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/jan-june12/abortion_02-23.html

When it was done, I was left with more question than answers.   Terms like gold-standard, medically necessary and informed consent were bandied about.  Each speaker was defending their turf, and honestly were not too convincing.  Where is the love for mother, father, and child?

Where I work, we have a program for clients who are transitioning to becoming parents.  One of my co-workers works with these couples.  She talks about the “van time” she has with them as they go to appointments or events.  This young people how to respond various parenting issues.   How do I respond when my baby doesn’t want to sleep?  What does it mean when my baby cries?   They are simply asking what does being a parent mean.

As communities and society what does parenting mean?  This is not an easy issue.   I pray that we can bring love back into the discussion.  Love supporting the mother and father in their new responsibilities.  Love nurturing the new child.

You may have heard about the organization Birthright http://www.birthright.org/.  They provide caring, non-judgmental support to girls and women who are distressed by an unplanned pregnancy.  I would suggest visiting their website and seeing how you might be able to help.

We are called to build communities of love and not condemnation.

Peace,

John

“I give you a new commandment love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” –   John 13:34

Freedom to Love Copyright John M. KIngery 2012

We live during challenging time full of changes, conflict and transitions.    As people of faith and good will, we are called to respond to those challenges as Christ would with love.  Christ gave us a new commandment that of loving one another.

I read, prayed and reflected on what has been written about “fortnight for freedom” requested by the bishops. What does freedom mean in this context?  I believe it means the freedom to love as God call us to.  As written in Deuteronomy 6:5 and spoken by Jesus in Matthew 22:37, 39 – “You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, with your whole soul, and with your whole mind.  You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

This period from June 21 – July 24 can be a time of time of sharing and celebrating what we do in our faith and broader community.  An event focused on our love of God expressed through our love for all humanity, not legality, partisanship or politics – a “fortnight for freedom to love”.

Reflect and share what you and your community are doing and can do to be more loving and caring for all.  My own parish of St. Juan Diego along with 9 other churches began the Faith Café’ ministry (www.faithcafeor.org) in 2005, the ministry has served over 50,000 meals to those in need in Washington County. Our St. Vincent DePaul chapter is regularly distributing nearly 5 tons of food per month.  There is indeed a need in our area and most likely where you live.

Reach out to those in need and work to address the causes of poverty and hunger!

Social Justice Theme

Dignity of the Human Person – Do not rob the poor because they are poor, nor crush the needy at the gate; For the LORD will defend their cause, and will plunder those who plunder them. (Proverbs 22:22-23)

Corporal Act of Mercy

Feed the Hungry – “For I was hungry and you gave me food.” (Matthew 25:35)

Peace,

John