Jane Marie Bradish is a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis based in Milwaukee. Her ministry has been in secondary education; currently she teaches theology and is the academic programmer for a large, urban, multicultural high school. She recently received the Project ADAM Karen Smith Award from Children's Hospital of Wisconsin for implementing comprehensive CPR-AED (cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator) programs for the school community.
Let's be honest, the world is kind of a scary place right now. So much is unknown and so many are struggling. There is usually a sense of safety in a hug, whether it's "I'm so happy to see you" or "I'm scared, hold me."
Three times in one week I encountered things from the "You're not supposed to be here" category, such as bunnies in a window well. I started to wonder about other experiences of "What are you doing here?"
High school students brainstormed what a world lived with a beatitude focus would look like. Among their proposed additions to the Beatitudes: "Blessed are the moody teens" and "Blessed are those who are toxic."
I was adamant — I was in no way like Judas! But when I decided to be completely honest with myself, I realized I am more like him than I care to admit.