Hannah Dignan

“We don’t want the child to view our admiration of them as conditional, as transactional—as coming only when they do something good. We want them to know we value them no matter what. Simply by virtue of being human and in community with other humans, they are of immeasurable intrinsic value.”
― Ibram X. Kendi, How to Raise an Antiracist

“In Greek mythology, Pallas Athena was celebrated as the goddess of reason and justice.1 To end the cycle of violence that began with Agamemnon’s sacrifice of his daughter, Iphigenia, Athena created a court of justice to try Orestes, thereby installing the rule of law in lieu of the reign of vengeance.2 Recall also the biblical Deborah (from the Book of Judges).3 She was at the same time prophet, judge, and military leader. This triple-headed authority was exercised by only two other Israelites, both men: Moses and Samuel. People came from far and wide to seek Deborah’s judgment. According to the rabbis, Deborah was independently wealthy; thus she could afford to work pro bono.4 Even if its members knew nothing of Athena and Deborah, the U.S. legal establishment resisted admitting women into its ranks far too long.”
― Ruth Bader Ginsburg, My Own Words

“In as early as the second century, Irenaeus offered theological reflection on Mary as the “second Eve” who, through her radical submission and obedience to God, reversed the deadly consequences of Eve’s rebellion.”
― Bruce L. Shelley, Church History in Plain Language

“We couldn’t be more wrong. Storms are a universal part of the human experience. No one escapes suffering or the day-to-day wear and tear on our human existence. “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous,” Jesus reminds us (Matt. 5:45). And “in this world you will have trouble,” He warns (John 16:33). Although our choices impact our path, we can’t control the weather as we walk it. And just as weather reveals the stability of a home, suffering exposes the status of a person’s faith.”
― Michele Cushatt, A Faith That Will Not Fail: 10 Practices to Build Up Your Faith When Your World Is Falling Apart