What’s the best thing you read recently? This isn’t an original answer, but I would have to say the best thing I’ve read recently was the Hunger Games trilogy. There’s so much happening in our current political climate that terrifies me. It seems that there is a movement for a government ‘takeover’ of our rights to access health care, to be safe on the streets- even the protections of the Constitution are being tested. The messages of the books- a privileged few benefiting from the oppression of the masses, utilizing fear as a tool of control, the fact that there are no easy answers and that rebellion will be met with swift action- it’s all there. Freedom to gather, freedom to speak freely, freedom to question authority- these are no longer givens in the ‘land of the free.’ It doesn’t seem so far fetched to imagine a large scale rebellion- and a post apocalyptic future. My favorite thing about the Hunger Games trilogy is how widely they’ve been embraced by the masses. I find that speaking to others about their experiences reading these books lends itself to my own expanding understanding of people and human nature. Yesterday, during the Easter Sunday mass, our Pastor, Laura, referenced a quote from the movie The Hunger Games- “A little hope is fine- a lot of hope is dangerous.” I think that is exactly what the current persons of privilege are afraid of- that as long as we have rights and hope, we can change things. I honestly believe that the current movement by government officials to limit freedom by whatever means necessary is born out of their fear of losing power. Until there is a change, a rising up, a populous demanding that their freedoms remain unencumbered- the story of the Hunger Games will not seem far fetched. I can only hope that we can hold on to hope during this frightening time- and stay dangerous. #RollerJournal