A group of teenagers, young adults, and chaperones returned from a church mission trip to an impoverished American inner-city. Sitting in a circle, they took turns discussing the past week’s experience of service together.

The question was posed by Sister Mahala, “What did you learn this week? What made an impact on you?”

Eight or nine persons offered responses. Many spoke of how they found the neighborhood noise, chaos, and poverty as frightening as they found their hosts’ hospitable, generous, and joy-filled.

Then, a young woman said, “I learned that social justice is not my cup of tea. It’s not, you know, my calling, my gift or charism, or whatever they call it.”

The room grew quiet.

Then Sister Mahala responded, “I get it. I do. Sometimes we feel out of our element. Uncomfortable, even anxious and afraid as some of you already said. I know at times that’s the way I have felt in the past when I stepped out of my comfort zone and stepped into the unfamiliar. No doubt this is one of the reasons why Jesus sent his disciples out two by two.

But, here’s the thing:

Working for justice is like carrying the cross. It’s neither a call nor a charism nor a cup of tea. It’s a command.” And the room grew quiet and still.

~ Dan Miller, © 2020. All Rights Reserved.