My family of origin is where I learned about love, respect and compassion, these values were the foundation of my familial relationships. When our family immigrated and there were constraints in our family situation, my mother worked in a factory and brought home “piece work” to sew (at 5 cents per zipper) for income. Regardless of those challenges I felt secure in her love and protection. As our situation improved and were blessed with more opportunities, my mother served as a source of hope for those that immigrated and those that did not. I was fortunate to grow up witnessing daily examples of love, respect, compassion, and solidarity.

With the passing of my mother’s generation including aunts and uncles, I have found that scripture has become more important in my life. In particular, my prayer group, friends and colleagues that strive for the beloved community are a source of strength and grounding; especially during these times when hard fought rights are being taken back as though universal rights somehow have to be rationed.

Through my reading of the book of Genesis, creation is the very essence of possibility and abundance. God, the source of abundance, makes it available to us because of His infinite love for us, his children. Because this belief is an integral part of my faith, I feel fortunate to be rooted in abundance, to feel loved, to have options.

To be rooted in abundance suggests that gratitude and generosity are a natural consequence of a loving environment, a space where possibility, generosity, and abundance thrive. Without love for God, self and others, you risk being trapped in an environment of scarcity.

Questions for Reflection:

Often those with limited means show great generosity and solidarity, why do you think this is?