I had the opportunity to interview Fr. Chris Kellerman, SJ, who is the author of the book All Oppression Shall Cease: A History of Slavery, Abolitionism, and the Catholic Church published by Orbis Books. This history, which I feel is either forgotten or purposefully revised or suppressed, is very important. I hope Catholic educators will incorporate Fr. Chris’s book into their curriculum. Especially important is Chris’s last chapter and the end of the interview when he discusses restitution. What does the Catholic Church, religious orders, institutions that benefited from colonization and slav ..read more

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(I am writing a monthly column for my parish bulletin’s Social Justice Ministry, reflecting on the Sunday Readings) Note: back after hiatus Be Not Afraid Watch this video reflection on Youtube and share In the Gospel today, Jesus tells the Twelve Disciples, “do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.” These words brought to mind the fearless actions taken by African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement that lasted from 1954 until 1968. Led by Martin Luther King, Jr., the Civil Rights M ..read more

(I am writing a monthly column for my parish bulletin’s Social Justice Ministry, reflecting on the Sunday Readings) Relentless Prayer In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of a widow who finally receives a favorable decision from a judge because she would not give up. Even though “for a long time the judge was unwilling,” the widow’s persistence caused the judge to finally act. Jesus tells his disciples that so too God will answer people who call out to him and, he will see that justice is done. When thinking about social issues like poverty, homelessness, unemployment, and incarceration ..read more

(I am writing a monthly column for my parish bulletin’s Social Justice Ministry, reflecting on the Sunday Readings) The Narrow Gate Today’s Gospel reading is a somber reminder that the Christian life is not easy. Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem and someone asked him if only a few people will be saved. Jesus answered by stating, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for may, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” Jesus goes on to give an example of even people in the company of the master of the house will be rejected when the time comes and “some are last w ..read more

(I am writing a monthly column for my parish bulletin’s Social Justice Ministry, reflecting on the Sunday Readings) Spending Time with Jesus Today’s Gospel reading tells a familiar story in the Bible when Jesus visits the home of sisters, Mary and Martha. After Martha complains that her sister is not helping her around the house while they are entertaining company because she is sitting and listening to Jesus, Jesus sides with Mary and states she chose the “better part.” We too who work for social justice need to make sure we are like Mary and spend time listening to Jesus. It’s easy to be bus ..read more

(I am writing a monthly column for my parish bulletin’s Social Justice Ministry, reflecting on the Sunday Readings) Food for All Today on The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, we reflect on Jesus feeding a crowd of 5000 as well as him providing everlasting supernatural food in the form of the Eucharist. The miracle of Jesus multiplying the loaves and fishes so much so that baskets were left over foreshadowed him giving us his Body and Blood, spiritual food that will never run out. In the second reading, St. Paul remembers Jesus’s last supper when he instituted the Eucharist ..read more

(I am writing a monthly column for my parish bulletin’s Social Justice Ministry, reflecting on the Sunday Readings) Loving One Another In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus gives his followers a new commandment: love one another. “As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” But what does it mean to love one another? Does it simply mean being kind and generous? In Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis teaches about love: one that proceeds directly from the virtue of charity and is directed to individuals and ..read more

I sit down with fellow Black Catholic and Mental Health Advocate, Christian Bentley, to discuss a topic that is often neglected in both the Black Community and Catholic Community. Though we discuss faith, we also have a broader conversation around mental health issues, diagnosis, stigma, hope, and recovery ..read more

Since it’s been just about been a year since my last blog post, this post is long overdue. (The blog post about my terrible quarantine haircut doesn’t count ) So much has happened since the beginning of the Lenten season in 2020, and in some ways, the past year feels like one long and neverending Lent. I recently read the book of Ruth in the Old Testament, and did I ever relate to the start of the biblical story. Naomi is a woman living in a foreign land due to famine in her home land of Judah. After experiencing the death of her husband, both of her two sons also die ten years later. Heartb ..read more