Why

Why are we doing this? Why the effort? Why the bother? We all have busy lives and are already involved in many good things.

For many of us, we are getting involved in this run / walk because our soul has a powerful sense of justice. What is going on in Human Trafficking is not just. It is wrong and it is evil. It is degrading to the people victimized, and so all of humanity is degraded. Where does this sense of Justice come from? Usually, we become aware of it the first time a bully picks on us on the playground-- the cruel sneer of small person who feels powerful by hurting someone they perceive as vulnerable.

Justice becomes inflamed when we see people in authority abusing those they are called to serve: maybe a politician, a teacher, a coach, a minister or even a parent. Whenever a safe place becomes a dangerous place, we are stirred with the conviction that "This is wrong." The truth is, awareness of Justice is born from the experiences of our own pain. For some of us this pain has been a deeply scaring season in our life which has left lasting wounds. One thing is sure: the closer the abuser, the deeper the wound. Yes, the bitter taste of unjust treatment creates in us a profound compassion for those who suffer still. Their pain is our pain. We suffer still. It is a bitter sweet consequence of the human experience. We share loves & joys and pain & tears. Our suffering gives us the blessing and the curse of compassion.

The word compassion means to "suffer with". Not to just feel bad, but to own part of the suffering of another. For some of us, the suffering of human trafficking is too much to bear without doing something, fighting back, shouting from a rooftop... Something... Anything... So... We are going to run to raise funds and create awareness. The awareness of justice is born from our pain but its source is more fundamental. It is completely human to love justice because we are created in the image of God; the God who loves justice. Justice is in his character and nature. Isaiah 8:1 says: For I, the LORD, love justice, Maybe as we run, we won't be running alone.

Franciscan Benediction: A Prayer for Us

May God bless you with discomfort
at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships
so that you may live deep within your heart

May God bless you with anger
at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people
so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace

May God bless you with tears
to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war
so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and
to turn their pain into joy

And may God bless you with enough foolishness
to believe that you can make a difference in the world
so that you can do what others claim cannot be done
to bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.