Liberty & Justice, continued from page 9 to immigration. It saddens me that so many people feel crushed by poverty and forgotten by politicians beholden to wealthy donors. We are many times their last hope for justice.
As Precious Blood Volunteers, we not only help the poor, we are the poor. Of course, there is the caveat that volunteers choose to live simply for a year, rather than endure a lifetime of unrelenting poverty by necessity. Nonetheless, this intentional pillar of the Precious Blood program is one its most wonderfully uncomfortable and growth-inducing aspects. I now understand why religious orders take vows of poverty. It is not a punishment; it is an opportunity to critically examine what we value and how few material things we actually need to be happy. It is truly a gift that shows every good thing we have is from God alone. In fact, most material comforts are merely an obstacle to holiness( iPhone, I’ m looking at you).
As a child, thanks to my family, I never had to think about food, shelter, or clothing— they just appeared. Later, in college and law school, thanks to my good friend“ Sallie Mae,” I was able to mindlessly shop when I was bored, perusing endless aisles of fluorescent lit products I soon felt I couldn’ t live without. I slowly amassed closets full of designer clothes, yet I still felt empty and restless. This undoubtedly first-world problem was nonetheless a true poverty, borne of the lack of a deep relationship with our Creator.
Now on my modest volunteer stipend, I no longer have the so-called“ luxury” of mindless— and frankly egotistical— consumerism. I am happy with everything I can fit in two suitcases, and smile to realize it is still more than enough. Through this experience, I have learned that the fewer possessions I have, the more room I have to grow in love and charity. In the long run, self-denial is the road to freedom because we are freed of unhealthy attachments that separate us from God. Especially during Lent, I found myself called to reflect on these truths and learn them through experience.
As a completely unexpected side benefit of this life lesson, forced to become a less vapid person, I have picked up a hobby that is both free and incredibly liberating: running!
Beginning in October, a month after I arrived in Kansas City, I started to run basically on a whim. I didn’ t have a goal other than to run a mile without stopping. Soon I had conquered the 5k distance, and by January I ran a 10k race after a weeklong battle with the flu. Now I am training for my first half-marathon, which is coming up on April 14 th. In September, I will conquer the full distance, 26.2 miles, at the Air Force Marathon in my hometown of Dayton, Ohio.
Beyond the physical and mental benefits of training, there is something profoundly inspirational about continuing to put one foot in front of the other despite pain and exhaustion. It’ s something Jesus did to the extreme during his passion, when he felt the loneliest and abandoned. It is something I see my clients do every day at Legal Aid. It something I still need to work on in my own incredibly privileged life.
As I meditated on Christ’ s passion throughout the waning days of Lent, I was reminded that in every seemingly hopeless situation, God is there waiting to comfort. Remaining optimistic despite fear and pain is something I am gradually learning with every client helped, every mile run, and every law outline studied. No matter the outcome, God is semper fidelis( always faithful). The true test is whether or not we as“ the faithful” live up to that name.
Soon, God willing, I will be practicing law as an attorney. I will apply the laws of Ohio to assist clients with their legal needs. In this sense, I will be seeking individual justice. In the broader sense, with every case I will seek to reinforce the self-evident truth that all men and women are created equal.
Lest we forget, Jesus came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. Through his death and resurrection, he made it possible for everyone to be saved if they freely choose Him. As we witness and celebrate the Easter miracle in 2018, let us ask ourselves if we are living according to God’ s law as He has called us to do.
And what exactly does that look like? As always, the Gospel is a good place to start.“ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself”( Matthew 22:36-39). �
10 • The New Wine Press • April 2018