Reading through the list of rules today was much like an examination of conscience and at the end I admit to initially feeling rather good. Killing, lying, cheating and worshipping false gods are not part of my life. Honoring my parents and keeping holy the Sabbath are part of my life so if this is about checking boxes, I felt like a winner. On second glance and deeper thought could that extra pair of shoes or sweater just added to my closet be a false god? Could failing to fully listen to another contribute to the killing of their spirit? And, while Mass on the grass in this age of Covid is how part of Sunday is spent what about the rest of the day? Is it truly a sabbath day or does the need to accomplish or perform take precedence over resting and enjoying some of the glory of the world God has given us?  The Ten Commandments Greek Orthodox Church of St. Paraskevi, St. Barbara & St. John the Merciful I plead guilty to being way too busy, way too interested in what’s in the closet and not always fully available when someone needs my attention. So, is this a public confession? Maybe, but these are also topics that I talk about with a few good friends who understand that what God is calling us to do is more than following the letter of the law and it is far more difficult. God is calling us to love God, and to love one another as ourselves, and if that is the priority then killing, lying, cheating and all the rest fall by the wayside. As we move into the third week of Lent may I suggest finding a friend you can talk to about these sorts of things. If you already have one offer an extra prayer of gratitude for that person. A life well lived, in accordance with the commandments God has given us, is much more than just following these commandments. Peace, Anne Ignatians West is celebrating Women's History Month by sharing the stories of two remarkable women as related by our Board Chair Fr. Randy Roche, SJ and by Ms. Kathleen Allen, the sister of Ignatians West volunteer Betsy Potts. Please click on each woman's picture to learn more about them! "Sister Simone Campbell, SSS, Executive Director of Network and organizer of 'Nuns On the Bus.' Sister Simone has been whole-heartedly working for justice since I first met her as a practicing attorney on the Board of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, Southwest, based in Oakland while it existed, in the late ’70’s." - Fr. Randy Roche, SJ  President Barack Obama talks with Sister Simone from Nuns on a Bus in the Oval Office, May 30, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) "Dorothy Day, who had had love affairs, an abortion, and led a life that was thought 'sinful' before she converted to Catholicism in 1924. The Dorothy Day who stood up for women’s rights, against war, and especially for social justice. The Dorothy Day that the pope called 'Servant of God,' the first step to sainthood. That was our Dorothy Day. The woman who often passed through Tucson and almost always stayed at our rambling home on Limberlost Drive." - Kathleen Allen  Dorothy Day in front of 521, Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth Potts
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