civil resistance – Radical Discipleship

Nor is this a private experience because the addictions from which we must turn are systemic economic/political/cultural pathologies. The insights from the 12 Step programs tells us that the dysfunctional system cannot be reformed, it must be disengaged. We must develop collective and long-term disciplines of “turning around” that empower a political practice that is nonagressive and nonexploitative.

It may seem indulgent to talk this way in view of the suffering of the innocent. Yet how, except through suffering, are we to allow God whoever or whatever that might be for us to train us to fling ourselves upon the impossible? For when we learn that behind the impossible is God’s grace and presence; the future is an enigma; our road is covered by mist. But, we need to go on giving ourselves, because God continues hoping amid the night and God continues calling us to put ourselves out there with those who suffer. I don’t believe there is a better way to live than this a life of nonviolent civil resistance.

– Elizabeth McAlister

Leah Grady Sayvetz lives in Ithaca, New York, where she grew up in the Catholic Worker tradition and part of the broader Catholic Worker community across the country. After having finished school in the Philly area, she most recently returned from traveling through southern states and spending time at the Open Door Community, a Catholic Worker house in Atlanta.

As we drove home from Watkins Glen this afternoon, it began to snow. The flurries danced about us and flew at the windshield as we sped down the road, making our surroundings seem magical. The rolling hills, carved out by a gorge or waterfall here and there, brushed in the feathery grey of bare trees which covered hillsides of rich dark brown hummus now patched with bright white snow… the landscape took my breath away and I remembered how in love I am with this region where I was born. As the snowflakes fell like little blessings from the sky, we in the car remarked on how today had brought a huge blessing: New York’s governor had just banned Fracking in the state. Continue reading “Reflections on Today’s Civil Resistance, Dec 17, 2014” →