April 26, 2020: Restoring what is broken with Mary J. Novak

Preaching for the Third Sunday of Easter, Mary J. Novak offers a reflection that illuminates restorative justice practices with the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus:   "Feeling guilty, infuriated, overwhelmed with grief: we all experience the spiritual desolation that can accompany these feelings in our world and Church today.  What can we do besides turn away and run?   We can walk alongside one another and listen deeply, restoratively.  As we listen in circle, when we feel the healing love of Christ in our midst, slowly, the desolation can turn, widening our perspective.  We may even experience spiritual consolation, a sense that our hearts are burning as we listen to each other.  From this encounter, we might even begin to trust that a way forward will emerge as it did for the disciples on the road to Emmaus."   Mary J. Novak serves in Washington, D.C. as the Associate Director for Ignatian Formation at Georgetown University’s Law Center and School of Continuing Studies where she also serves as Catholic Chaplain and Adjunct Professor of Law.  She is also chair of the Board of Directors of Catholic Mobilizing Network.    Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04262020 to learn more about Mary, to read her text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.