Two years ago, I was in the middle of my first semester of my last year of college. I was trying to handle a campus that was divided on everything from Covid to the election, constant challenges with the people around me, a lot of anger, and even more fear. The Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice (online) was a breath of fresh air during a time where it quite literally hurt to breath.
During one of the breaks in the session, a few of us went to take pictures at the SLU Clocktower. An IFTJ tradition, I had no way of knowing how important one of those pictures would be to me.
That semester (and year) held a lot of heaviness for me. Yet, this one fleeting moment of joy was captured. When I looked at it, I wrote:
In the midst of it all:
The pandemic.
The racism.
The election.
The human rights abuses at the US Southern Border.
The silencing of women,
The lack of regard for people in other countries and in our own country.
The destruction of our Earth.
The pain of feeling misunderstood, of feeling as though I am both too much and not enough all in the same breath.
In the midst of it all I hear the Holy Spirit whispering:
Show them radical joy.
Show them a faith that does justice.
Show them what it means to give agape love and not count the cost.
Show them a welcoming door.
Show them an open heart.
Show them a boldness that is embedded inside of you that no one can take away.
Show them the strength of diversity, of surrender, of compassion.
Show up and preach Truth.
Show them radical joy.
Two years later (and coming off of another incredibly challenging year), I feel like I'm just beginning to tap into what it means to follow that call.
Radical Joy.
Different than false optimism, or toxic positivity, radical joy for me means leaning into all that the world has to offer (light and darkness, peace and turmoil, healing and pain) and choosing to move forward and believe that better is possible. It means not bowing to the status quo, but instead kneeling down to wash each others feet. It means honoring all of the feelings, while also remembering to rest so that continuing is possible. It means recognizing that life is allowed to be good, and working so that all can live the truth of that statement.
As I approach the Election Season, winter, and Advent , I want to practice more radical joy. I hope you want to come alongside me.
In joy and with hope for a better tomorrow,
Gabriela
(A moment of joy, serendipitously captured on camera. October 25, 2020)
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