Week 8 Blog

I think that the Jesuit value that has appealed to me the most and has been the most evident in my education throughout the past four years is "linking faith and justice." As a Christian growing up I don't think that I ever connected the two. Additionally the fact that there have been so many racially charged incidents over the pasts 5 years, it has made it eve more evident. Many would find it difficult to connect faith and justice. They would say that the two are mutually exclusive and would never truly fit together. Either you are a Christian or an activist. You could never do both. I have realized in the past years that you can be both. In fact, as a follower of Christ, you have to be able to fight for the needs of the poor and oppressed (another Jesuit value). That is exactly what Jesus would do, and in fact did do. He was concerned about others.
When He came to Earth, the Jews were under the control of the Roman Empire. They were quite literally oppressed. While Jesus did not remove that oppression in the way that they thought he would, His actions proved that He was truly concerned for, had compassion towards, and loved all people. Those that thought their plight was unimportant, are the exact ones that Jesus cared for. In the same way were are supposed to care for the marginalized and forgotten in our society. Again, it is our responsibility as Christians to do so.
I have noticed in my time at Loyola, that my very conversations have changed. I find that just talking to people about issues of injustice, is so important. Even speaking up when I hear someone say something wrong or insensitive. These are the things that matter, and indeed do make us true Christians and activists.

Week 7

   
This represents week one because it all about brokenness. Just like an egg, you have to break it to use it.

This is a good representation of week 2 because it shows how we should be able to choose which standard to be apart if.

Just like we ought to see suffering in week three, we see the suffering and pain in iconic photo, from Dorothea Lange.

This represents week 4 because, at the end of the day we should be reaching up to God to return to Him the glory.

Blog 6

This blog comes at a perfect time because my friend just asked me a very similar question several days ago. So I have had time to think. Because the award lasts for approximately 2 months I think that the decision would be pretty plain for me. I would use the money to fund a 2 year musical tour for some cause. Perhaps for non-profits to help them gain exposure or, something of the like. The tour would primarily be in the United States, but depending on its success, it could travel internationally as well. I would hire the best band that I could find ( I don't think that goes against the guild lines) and we would travel and do benefit concerts. I would absolutely love to do this, because I think that not only would I enjoy the musical aspect of it, but I know that people enjoy music as well, so they would come readily.

They money that I would be given would go exclusively toward funding the tour. That means, travel expenses, hotels, band fees, venue pricing. All of those things can get pretty pricey so it would be great to have those areas taken care of. The money that would be raised on the tour would go to several areas. As I mentioned before a portion would go towards non-profit communications and organizations. It would specifically go towards non-profits that help young people pursue their passion in the arts. One organization that comes to mind, is one that I am interning for right now called YUPP (Youth Utilizing Power and Praise). The heart of the group is to provide a space where young people can be empowered and encouraged through the arts.  So all the money raised on the tour would go to organizations as such.

Music is such a huge passion for and I know that it is powerful. There have been days when I have felt absolutely horrible and I listened to one of my favorite uplifting songs and I felt like a new person. So I know that the concert would bring a great deal of help to many people. There has to be a real passion with those that are working to me as well. It can't just be that they are working for exposure or, even just to get paid. It must be that they truly see the vision and decide that they want to be apart. After the two years are finished, it could easily happen that we decide to keep doing it even on a smaller scale. This project would truly touch many peoples lives and would provide a platform for inspirational good music to come to the forefront. Nothing vulgar, or inappropriate, just good feel-good music.

Blog 5

Anytime that I am asked to reflect on questions such as these I am always reminded of how a tropical college student conversation transpires. "Hey how are you?" "I'm good, I'm just really tired." "Oh yea me too. I've been super busy this week." "I know. This week has been pretty killer for me too." "I have so much work to do." "I know me too. Well live gotta go, I have to go to a meeting." "Me too. I'll talk to you later. Try and get so,me rest." Since I've been in college I have heard this conversation at least twice a week. This is what one of my friends calls the "Busy Olympics." Who can be the mist busy? And the end of the week who has the right to be the most exhausted? Who is doing the most?

I think that this is so intricately tied into what Ignatius was talking about when he said, we should be indifferent and have the balance of head and heart. While it is so important to the success of a college student to be invoked and stay active, I know for a fact that this can hinder us from truly finding a balance. For myself I have had to consciously steer clear of conversations like this. We are all busy, that's a fact. But are we living healthy balanced lives? That is the real question.

I know that for myself, this has been a difficult problem to overcome. This is the busiest I have ever been in my college career and I find myself letting things fall through the cracks that shouldn't. Like reading my bible, or praying or meditating. It is extremely hard to dislodge the notion that success in life is everything. Especially, when I'm paying so much to get an education.

I think that there are also things in my life that I have held on to that I would find extremely difficult to let go. Now if true Ignatian indifference in the goal, then I'm in a huge pickle,for example, my friends, my girlfriend, good health, family. None of these things are unimportant or frivolous pursuits. But I do think that there is a level if healthy connection that has to be established and if it's not where there you should feel the loss. I do want to live a life that shows how much I am willing to give up for God no matter what it is. I am not there yet, and I certainly have a long way to go.

Blog 4

This prompt is somewhat difficult, because just as it indicates, it can be uncomfortable to describe what your gifts are because it does seem like you are showing off. I think that there is something to be said though, when you can identify what these are. Not only does it help to be able to identify them, but when you are able to use them to the best of your ability and people enjoy it,  that is what is truly special. For me, music has always been a strong point in my life. I have always been able to sing, since I was a young child. I can remember growing up, singing at the school or in church and always having a blast doing it. No one ever taught me how to sing, I truly think that it just came naturally.

In terms of those things that I have learned, and things that have shaped me from my upbringing, I know there is a much more extensive list. For example, I know for a fact that my parents always instilled in me the need to respect those that have authority over you. This sense of respect has carried me a long way over the course of my education. I think that it is extremely important that everyone realize that not everyone is your friend, and that some people deserve to be treated with a greater amount of respect.

I think that another value that I have gained from experience is the sense of commitment. I have seen my parents do nothing but stay faithful to whatever is is that they do. Whether it was staying at a job for almost three decades or just simply staying faithfully married to each other for 27 years. I have seen them stay faithful, to whatever they put their hands to. This has taught me the value of keeping your word, whatever the circumstance. It's better to under-promise and over-deliver than to over-promise and under-deliver. That way your word and your reputation remain favorable. I think that this value has even helped to shape my future career path.

Finally, I have learned the value of giving and just being nice to people. It is so important to remain pleasant and kind. Far too often you hear people complain about having been hurt byron,e or having been betrayed. So much of this hurt and betrayal could be avoided if people just learned to treat one another with respect. Selfless giving is, I believe, the remedy for so many broken relationships. I truly believe that it's all about living a life of empathy and putting yourself in others shoes, so we can help the  ext person and not always think about what is in it for me.

Ignatius Quote

One rare exceptional deed, is worth far more than a thousand commonplace ones.

This quote really speak to me and what I have been taught growing up as a child. It particularly resonates with me as an RA. I think that what Ignatius was getting at is that the quality of the acts of service that we do should matter far more than the frequency with which we do them.

For me, as an RA I am required as a part of my job description to interact with my residents on a regular basis. While I certainly do love meeting new people and getting to know them, especially my residents, I find that many times doing things for them feels forced. Between doing floor programs, and one on ones and roommate agreements I have to interact with them quite a bit. These interactions are all meaningful, but never quite as fulfilling as I want them to be. It is so much more fulfilling when I can interact with them intentionally and have unforced organic conversations. I think that these are the exceptional and good deeds that Ignatius was talking about.

In a world where we are so inundated with quick conversations and likes on Facebook and Instagram, it is always good to show people that you love them on a daily basis. These thing should be meaningful. I know that from personal experience when people do things for me that are meaningful, as opposed to just a hundred small hardly meaningful acts, it means so much more. Not only that, but to do so etching truly exceptional it requires thought. This thought is what really makes all the difference.

As humans we always desire to have something really. Beyond the mundane, and trivial, we desire what real and what will last. I think that that is what Ignatius was trying to get us to see. That we need something of significance. Something of substance. Something of value, and the reality is that they can't  happen as often as we'd like, because these things truly take time and thought.

Blog #2- Evil Spirits

Joshua Byrd
September 13th, 2015

Much like Ignatius believed in evil spirits, I too believe that there can be evil forces in the world. I truly believe that there are evil forces acting against your life. These evil spirits are especially present when you are doing the work of God. I have never actually come into contact with this evil presence personally, but I have experienced the affects.

Growing up in church I know that I have always been aware, and always been taught that there is evil in the world. Leaning about Satan, Lucifer or the devil, had always been apart of the Sunday School lesson. Now that is not to say that this was the only thing that I was taught about the supernatural world, but I definitely remember learning about it often. Not only was I taught about evil, but I was also taught about the good as well. I was always taught that what is here and now, that is this flesh and this body, is not the only thing that exists. Yes, we are supposed to be concerned about this body, but is should not consume us or make us anxious. I find myself constantly battling between my what I want to do, that may not necessarily be good, and what I know to be best. I think that part of this battle may come from an evil presence, but I am not fully convinced.

I know that whenever someone has committed their live to God, that evil presence that we speak of is always at work to distract us. It is easy to succumb to that presence, but it is far better if we resist, and surrender to God's will. Much like Ignatius did. I truly believe that those evil sprits that we are talking about are powerful, and greatly affect the trajectory of our lives. However great and powerful those spirits may be, it is always encouraging to know that we do not have to be subject to them. God is greater that those spirits and even greater than our own will. I think that that is the way that one should learn about evil. Always in conjunction with God's goodness.

Questions of life. Blog 1

In this stage of my life I find myself constantly asking questions. As I grow older I find that these questions become much more prevalent.  I can't seem to escape them. Who am I? What will I become? What has happened to me? Am I ok with the person that I am now? Why do I respond to people and situations the way that I do? What is the most important aspect of who I am? What defines me? Who defines me? These are the questions I find myself pondering, all the more frequently as I approach my near commencement in 2016.

In my opinion, everyone should be asking themselves these questions. Living life in such an intentional way that we can never escape them. I am so appreciative that I am apart of a Jesuit community that values this way of thinking and pondering life. This community fosters a tremendous sense of critical thinking that I think is an extremely important part of living a truly fulfilled life.

From this class I hope to learn more about the founder of the Society of Jesus, Ignatius of Loyola. From the little bit that I have read of his life thus far, I can see that he is an extremely interesting character. The events in his life are so remarkable that they merit a great deal of study. From what I know about his life already, I can see that there were decisions that he had to make that would greatly affect the trajectory of his life. I am extremely interested to see how he made those decisions, and what kinds of questions he asked himself during those undoubtedly difficult times. I'm sure that I can find many similarities between our lives, as I am at a crossroad as well. I am extremely interested to see how he navigated through the difficulties of his life.