Though I feel despair in the pit of my stomach, I believe that we, God's children, are loved. I believe that the suffering and the serving are loved. 

John,

As the Triduum comes to a close and we prepare to celebrate Easter, I feel a kinship to the women that traveled with Jesus at the time of his death. I too am watching the world I know crumble around me as death and fear overcome it. As they must have been, I too am filled with questions. What will happen next? Are my friends or family in danger? Am I in danger? What can I do to relieve this suffering? Where is my Lord?

As they prepared Jesus's body for burial and waited outside the tomb, we too are trying to find the way to serve in this new and strange reality. At the Ignatian Solidarity Network, we are digitizing programs ([link removed][UNIQID]) , creating prayerful resources ([link removed][UNIQID]) in response to COVID-19, and fostering people’s commitment to working for the dignity and rights of others ([link removed][UNIQID]) despite our own fears of health and financial instability.

It feels like such a terrible juxtaposition to be trying to trudge on with work while the coronavirus rampages our nation and our world. It feels wrong to have birds chirping happily in the sunshine as mobile morgues are being raised in the streets.

It must have been terrible for the women too. It was Passover. It was the Sabbath. But they did not celebrate. They mourned a son, friend, and teacher. They feared for their friends who could easily be killed for their association with Jesus. They feared for their own futures not knowing what it would look like when this was all over. But in the back of their minds, there must have had hope in Jesus’s words.

We are an Easter people. We believe in new and everlasting life. We are hopeful. Though I feel despair in the pit of my stomach, I believe that we, God's children, are loved. I believe that those suffering are loved. I believe that those serving are loved.

I see this love in the first responders, in the essential workers, in the people who are staying home. I see this love in our staff at the Ignatian Solidarity Network and you the Ignatian family who are coming together to create a community of hopeful people in this time of desolation. Though this is and feels like Holy Saturday embodied, we must remember that Easter is always with us. Jesus is among us. God’s love endures.

You and your family are in our prayers this Easter and always. I pray that you are healthy, safe, and filled with the love of Christ. Happy Easter.

Peace,
[link removed][UNIQID] G. Kerr
Executive Director

============================================================
** ([link removed][UNIQID])
** ([link removed][UNIQID])
** ([link removed][UNIQID])
** ([link removed][UNIQID])
** ([link removed][UNIQID])
** (mailto:[email protected])
** ([link removed][UNIQID])


OUR MISSION:

Network, educate, and form advocates
for social justice animated by the
spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola
and the witness of the Jesuit martyrs of El Salvador
and their companions.

Copyright © 2020 Ignatian Solidarity Network, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this e-mail because you opted in at our website or participated in an ISN program or initiative.

Our mailing address is:
Ignatian Solidarity Network
1 John Carroll Blvd.
University Heights, OH 44118
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.