In the Garden of Life we encounter obstacles to growth, a Catholic University Teaching Killing or a Catholic organization straying from its mission of works of mercy to investing to make money. Sometimes in life we cannot dialog or reason with these obstacles, like an infestation of bugs in the garden or poor soil. All we can do, if there is no creative conflict and dialog possible, is to take action, direct action to move past the obstacle to growth.

In the civil rights movement when there was no dialog or healthy discussion there was no choice but to take direct nonviolent action, putting our reputation, money and perhaps our life on the line. There are some things worth struggling for and maybe even dying for. Our conscience drives us to action, if we can only hear and see what we believe.

This morning I was wasting my time and time of others present talking with persons in our St. Vincent De Paul Conference about how the present move to invest 3.2 million dollars in the suburbs for a thrift store rather than building one in the area of most need where we serve. Comments like that is ‘your opinion’ of mission statement which I do not agree with or I do not care to know more were an expression of the futility of a dialog. My insistence on making my point was also futile.

This afternoon I was talking in a retirement home with two elderly priests, one a Jesuit and one a Franciscan. Although they did not agree on everything they could talk and dialog because they saw in each other themselves and the same vision of life and what is right. The Garden of Life was flowing all around the three of us because we had similar values that were worth struggling and suffering for.

In the Garden of Life we encounter obstacles to growth but if we struggle, sacrifice, dialog, act and work together these obstacles can be overcome. All are welcome in Garden of Life but when we face obstacles we can overcome and keep on growing

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