Take Up Your Cross&

     Our Lenten theme, "Take up your Cross and follow me," has meaning on more than one level for me.  The cross is a sign of my redemption and I thank my Savior for   opening the gates of heaven for me by his death on the cross, every day.  The cross also signifies the pain I endure with arthritis and my acceptance of it.  And I love saying the Stations of the Cross, not just during Lent but all year long.
     The sacrifice our Lord and Savior made for us by his death on the cross is a gift of love.  We can show love for our neighbor in many ways, remembering that Jesus said that whatever you do for the least of my people, that you do unto me.  I have felt called to the Makaria Ministry that offers support to individuals who are being physically or mentally abused.  The Hail Mary Crusade against family violence was started here at St. John's and has spread to neighboring churches.
     I have also felt called to work for the Social Justice    Committee on issues within our community and the greater community.  I have been able to meet with my   representatives in the State Legislature and express my concerns.  We are working on the issue of affordable    housing.  Research shows that the housing crisis affects people who don't fit the stereotypes of the poor or homeless--such as bank tellers, dental hygienists, beginning teachers, nurses aides, janitors, wait staff, truck and bus drivers, and temporary workers.  The housing   crisis dramatically affects chances for kids to succeed in school.  This I was able to see first hand as  Minneapolis school teacher.  We are told that the number of working poor has increased 17% this year.  In their September report the MN Dept. of Employment Security reported that 35% of existing jobs pay $7-11 per hour, 16% pay $11-16 per hour meaning 50% pay less than $16 per hour.  So, as you can see, many jobs don't pay enough for a one bedroom apartment.   The Met Council says that the median price for a home in 2000 was $154,900--but a person earning $15 an hour could only afford a home that costs $85,000 which is very hard to find.  Affordable housing is when you pay no more than 30% of your income on rent or a home mortgage.
     If we are to see Christ in every human being, we need to be concerned about our neighbor.  This is what social justice is all about and it is a way we can take up our cross.  We need to be concerned about the illegal immigrant who lives in fear of deportation.  We need to be concerned about the immigrant who has green card but cannot get a driver's license or bank account.  We can volunteer at shelters for the homeless or for battered women.  Many of these homeless are employed.  We can volunteer at schools and give kids that extra little boost they need to succeed, I have seen it happen in my own volunteering.  Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in what God wants you to do.  Maybe it is to contribute to the St. Vincent De Paul Society in our church.  This committee helps members of the community who are in need of financial assistance.  During Lent maybe we can deny ourselves something we would like to buy and      contribute that money to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.  We are our brother's keeper.