Patrick Saint-Jean S.J. and the crucible of racism

Here are links for the books byPatrick Saint-Jean S.J. mentioned in this interview  

The Spiritual Work of Racial Justice: A Month of Meditations with Ignatius of Loyola
The Crucible of Racism: Ignatian Spirituality and the Power of Hope

This is a special interview, part three in a seven-part series on Lent. Some of our discussion explores the reading for the second Sunday in Lent. I've included the reading below (NRSV) along with some questions to help you reflect on the meaning of the reading, Lent, and what it means to be a contemplative. 

Luke 13:31-35

The Lament over Jerusalem

31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33 Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ 34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’

Questions for consideration:

Before you begin to reflect with the community today, let’s situate ourselves within the reading.

• Read the passage, read the questions below, then read the passage again.

• Sit for a few minutes and allow yourself to enter into the scripture.

• If you are not familiar with some of this information, don’t worry just rest in what you do understand.

• How does any of this relate to what Patrick said? Where does the scripture reading reflect your own story?

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.”

• We typically think of the Pharisees as being adversaries of Jesus' ministry. What motive might the Pharisees have in warning Jesus about Herod's intentions?

He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’  Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

• What does it mean to be a fox? What does it mean to be a hen?

•  Why might Jesus want Herod to know these things?

•  Jesus wants to finish his work and then be on his way. What might Jesus want Herod to know about how he is responding to the threat? What might he be telling himself?

•  What would it mean to finish the work?

•  Why is Jerusalem the place where prophets are killed? Why is it impossible to kill prophets outside of Jerusalem?

•  Where do you see a Herod trying to destroy a prophet today?

•  Where is the Jerusalem today that is not willing to gather its children together?