Mary van Balen

This article on the Huff Post caught my attention. Employment Non-Discrimination Act 2013:The 'T' in LGBT Protections.As I mentioned in an earlier post, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) has be introduced into the congress...again. In its earlier forms, ENDA did not include transgendered people in its protection. Why? As Rep. Barney Frank was quoted in the above article: "There is more resistance to protection for people who are transgender than for people who are gay, lesbian and bisexual," Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) said in a statement at the time. "This is not a good fact, but ignoring bad facts is a bad way to get legislation passed."

The 2013 bill includes transgendered people. As you can see from the graphic, only sixteen states provide employment protection for transgendered people. It is time to contact your Senators and Congressmen and express support for the inclusive bill.

No one should fear for his or her job because he or she is transgendered. Or gay or lesbian or Bi-sexual. This is an issue of discrimination and of justice. Click on the article or on the link below the graphic to learn more. Read More 

I was a young teenager when civil rights leader, Medgar Evers, was assassinated, shot in the back, while returning home from a community meeting. Fifty years ago, today. His widow, Myrlye Evers-Williams, reflected on the event saying, "We are cursed as human beings with this element that's called hatred, prejudice and racism," said Evers-Williams, now 80. "But it is my belief that, as it was Medgar's, that there is something good and decent in each and every one of us, and we have to call on that, and we have to find a way to work together."( "Quoted in June 11, 2013 AP article")

Today is also the birthday of Anne Frank, famous for her diary, discovered and published after she died in a Nazi concentration camp after surviving for two years in hiding along with members of her family during Nazi occupation of Amsterdam during WWII.

Both Evers and Frank believed that, as Anne Frank wrote, "In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart...I see the world gradually being turned into a wilderness...and yet if I look up into the heavens I think that is will all come right..."

A call to faith. A call to action. A call to work each in our own way, for the common good. Read More 

Originally published in The Catholic Times

Pope Francis’ homily on Wednesday, May 22, received lots of press, mainly around his comments about redemption: “The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the blood of Christ. All of us, not just Catholics. Everyone!” he declared. “‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone! And this blood makes us children of God of the first class! We are created children in the likeness of God and the blood of Christ has redeemed us all!”

He continued: “And we all have a duty to do good. And this commandment for everyone to do good, I think, is a beautiful path towards peace. If we, each doing our own part, if we do good to others, if we meet there, doing good, and we go slowly, gently, little by little, we will make that culture of encounter: we need that so much…”

Lost in the media flurry about whether or not atheists can be saved (or, even non-Catholics, according to some pundits) was Pope Francis’ comment about a “culture of encounter.” What does that look like? Read More 

Originally appeared in the Catholic Times, issue: May 12, 2013

When beginning studies for a Masters Degree in theology, I was in the midst of a difficult time in other areas of my life. Perhaps it was Providence that one book assigned for a seminar was Ronald Rolheiser’s The Holy Longing. The instructor required each member of the class to prepare a presentation on a particular chapter. Mine was “The Paschal Mystery.” That was almost eight years ago, and I still find hope and wisdom in Rolheiser’s presentation of that holy mystery.

Rolheiser put a colloquial twist on the Ascension, describing its message this way: “Do not cling to the old, let it ascend and give you its blessing.” A necessary step to Pentecost, where we accept the Spirit for the moment we are living.

I had always thought of the Ascension as an event in Jesus’ life, not in my own. He told his disciples during their last meal before his death that his going away is necessary:”…for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to your; but if I go, I will send him to you.” Death. That was Jesus’ first “going away.”

His followers were devastated. Confused and afraid, they talked, and waited, and worried. I’m sure they prayed, but perhaps it was the same type of prayer we hold in our hearts when life takes turns we do not understand, and we cannot find God anywhere in it.

Then came the resurrection. Jesus was back! He shared food with them, blessed them, and walked with them. When they finally realized who he was, they must have been euphoric. But there was a problem: He wasn’t going to stay. Read More 

And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day. Genisis 1, 14-19


A anular solar eclipse will occur around 5:30 pm EDT. The moon is at its furthest point form the earth, and so, during the eclipse, will not appear large enough to block out the entire sun. It leaves a "ring of fire" around its shadow. Visible to those in Australia and islands in the Souther Pacific Ocean, the rest of us can view it live on-line at a couple of sites:
Space.com http://www.space.com/19195-night-sky-planets-asteroids-webcasts.html

You can also follow the solar eclipse live via Slooh's iPad app and its website: http://events.slooh.com/ Read More 

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40 New International Version (NIV)


Today the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) was re-introduced into both the Senate and the House of Representatives by members of both Democratic and Republican parties. This legislation, which has been introduced a number of times since 1990, prohibits employers from using gender identity or sexual orientation as criteria for hiring (or firing) employees. The bill exempts small businesses with fewer than fifteen employees and religious organizations.

When I spoke to people about this bill in the past, many expressed surprise that it was needed. They assumed that no one could be refused employment or be fired on the basis of sexual orientation. Not as many were aware of gender identity issues period, let alone the lack of protection for transsexuals. At the moment, twenty-one states plus D.C. have laws similar to ENDA. Sixteen include protection for transgendered individuals. Read More 

Originally published in the Catholic Times, vol 62:27

“Rituals are important,” my friend said as we gathered around the dinner table on Holy Thursday evening. The four of us read prayers together, broke bread, shared wine, and then poured water from a ceramic vase over each other’s hands, praying a blessing as we did. Later we joined with others in our parish to celebrate the Mass that began the Easter Triduum, three days packed with liturgical ritual.

As the Easter season continues, I find myself pondering ritual in life outside church sanctuaries as well as within them. My friend is right. Rituals are important. They provide tangible symbols of realities we cannot see or touch, but experience interiorly. They provide a link to people or places that are part of our history. They help us step out of routine and focus on truths that guide our lives. They help us remember the Holy Presence in which we live.

I arrived at my friends’ home that evening and noticed the small ceramic plate and cup, pitcher and bowl that shared the table’s center with a vase of daffodils and palm fronds. I had eaten dinner with them on other Holy Thursdays but had forgotten about the ritual until that moment. Holding the bread, touching the cup slowed me down.  Read More 

Originally published in the Catholic Times March 10 2013 vol. 62:22



The fourth Sunday of Lent already? Impossible. I'm not where I thought I'd be. Spiritually speaking, that is. Each year I think it will different. I'll be more disciplined when it comes to food. Each morning will start quietly with undisturbed time for prayer. I won't succumb to temptations of playing Free Cell or Sudoku on my iPad.

This year I thought I had more attainable goals. In fact, I had but one: give myself "soul time." Time for my spirit to breathe and, as an old African story goes, catch up with my body. This goal seemed reasonably attainable four weeks ago. I have been forced to admit that some behaviors have a stronger hold on me that I thought.

For example, living alone, by nightfall I am often ready for some human "noise" in the house. I turn on the television, tune Netflix to reruns or maybe a less than riveting movie, turn away from the screen and drift to sleep, listening.

A perfect time for " soul room" I told myself on Ash Wednesday. Read More 

"...You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.....you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church." Mt 16







For some, this passage from Matthew's gospel is justification for papal authority, for a pope in the first place. I don't think Jesus intended to establish the modern papacy with this statement. What I heard this morning as I sat with these words was "intimacy." Peter knew Jesus, and Jesus knew him. Isn't that what intimacy is, knowing and being known? Something we crave to have with another human being, but more profoundly, with God?

"God and I, we're like this!" one might say, holding up a hand with two fingers crossed, as close as they can get. Peter recognized Jesus as the one who was to come, the messiah, even if his understanding of Jesus' mission needed a little work. And Jesus knew his friend. He knew that his life and his words would be critical to bringing God's kingdom.

Even if Peter's "rockness" was more like sandstone than granite, who he was would be important in spreading the word. Read More 

Conversion is not viewed as an act of turning away from this or that sin toward this or that virtue. True conversion is never so neatly defined or cleanly accomplished. Conversion involves the gradual reshaping of consciousness to the point that the "convert" begins to view life in a radically new way. It is not something a person DECIDES to do, as though it were in our power to do so. We are led through conversion by the gracious Lord who alone has the power to reshape our consciousness, and who must do so in the face of deep resistance. In the ways the the spirit, it is the Lord and not ourselves who determines that from which we must be purified, and this is usually the source of our greatest resistance.
Peter Fink, S.J.



A friend sent this quote to me saying, "...it always speaks to me about the hidden ways God is doing what only God can do in us--and we're not aware of it at all. In fact, we often believe just the opposite."


Both the quote and my friend's words speak to me this Lent. I have chosen a couple disciplines this Lent focusing not on "giving up" as much as "giving time." Forgoing some activities that devour more time than intended in order to do something more life-giving. I am giving myself "soul room" by clearing out some clutter.

While I think that is a good thing, and intend to stick with it, I am reminded by Peter Fink and my friend, Luisa, that God may be working somewhere else in my life to slowly radicalize my way of seeing and living.

I like thinking of the hiddenness of God's hand. Awareness that anything and everything can be a moment of transformation helps me reverence the people and events of my day.

Giving thanks for all of it, the annoying, mundane parts, the work, the suffering that I would wish away if I could, makes sense looking at God's work this way. Who knows.

I guess that's the point. God knows. Not me.



 Read More