December 9, AMAZE
Word for the day: AMAZEMENT:
great surprise and wonder
Every year, our sisters have a sisters weekend. This was placed on hold during Covid. We decided to have a one night sister’s gathering at my youngest sister, Rita’s new house! My sister Mary couldn’t attend due to ❄️ snowstorm in Sun Valley!
Thus began week 2 of the Camino! The pilgrims continuing their journey, and me, healing at Eileen’s. I must have been very sick, as I slept till noon the next day. Week 2 of the spiritual exercises:
Week 2: focuses on Christ’s mission to save and heal the world. The retreatant discovers more intimately Jesus’ compassion and fundamental love of the people. The retreatant grows in a desire to join Jesus in his mission.
I continued to read the spiritual meditations daily and reflect on them. This week involved much “crossing out” and contradicting the readings. I try to eliminate the word sim from my vocabulary. This week, we were to concentrate on sinfulness, the evils in the world. For example, I do not believe that Jesus came to this world,
“So that I may feel shame and confusion, and turn to God for healing and forgiveness.” I believe that Jesus came to this world to to provide light and love. Yes, he wanted us to turn to Our Creator, but with love and compassion. So, perhaps it was a gift that I could process this week in my little cell in my daughter’s casa
This day, Ignatius mounted his mule, and set forth for Navarette. So, you see, even St Ignatius didn’t walk the whole way! perhaps, if Ignatius had access to a car, he would have traveled that way, as I did! (Pretty lame excuse or justification for missing the desert part of the walk). But we were to focus on sin, the sin in the world and within ourselves.
“Sin means that people are deliberately choosing to bring disorder and chaos into their own or others’ lives”I have worked as a counselor for 40 years and after all these years of contemplation (like Jesus 40 days in the desert); I believe that people do “evil” (hate that word too), transgressions against others, due to trauma! When I worked on the forensic unit at Eastern State Hospital, one on one conversations with these “evil” people, who yes, had committed horrific crimes; revealed broken souls. Not evil people.
I believe that negativity in our world, arises from systemic “evil” due to greed and power. The Nazis, the crusaders, the people who fight wars everywhere perform unspeakable atrocities. Yet, they are following orders, and often fear for their own lives. It is very difficult to stand up and fight injustices. Look what happened to Jesus. Observe the incarcerations in Hong Kong and other places throughout the world for those fighting to maintain democracy.
According to the Associated Press (AP):
“The International Federation of Journalists says that 67 journalists and media staff have been killed around the world so far this year, up from 47 last year.
The Brussels-based group also tallied 375 journalists currently imprisoned for their work, with the highest figures in China including Hong Kong, in Myanmar and in Turkey. Last year’s report listed 365 journalists behind bars.
So, there is a price to be paid for standing up for justice! 
Jim and the pilgrims at a bar in 
So, this was my reading for the day from the small Jesuit reflections, “Challenge” by Mark Link, SJ.
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