Jesus declared that those who follow him must "take up the cross." (Mt 10:38) What is Dorothy's cross in baptizing her daughter and joining the church?
From the beginning of her involvement with the church, Dorothy was always questioned as to why she needed religion in her life. Many of her friends couldn't understand how she could put someone faith into something that see couldn't "see". But Dorothy did see God in the people who needed her help and her love. When Dorothy wanted to get her daughter baptized, the child's father, Forster, was not happy about it. Forster told Dorothy that he believed he things he could feel, touch, and see. He didn't see the point in religion and certainly didn't understand why a Baptism was important.
To Dorothy, baptizing her daughter was important. She wanted her daughter to be a part of the Church and grow up knowing God. Her love for Forster was great, but greater still was her love for her child-and for God. After baptizing Tamar, Forster went away and was not involved with raising her. Dorothy carried the cross of being a single mother and being alone.
Dorothy Day's life and beliefs were also unconventional. Many did not feel like she could fit the picture of a highly regarded religious woman. She had an abortion and had a child out of wedlock. She was a pacifist in an era of "the Good War". She came to state-sponsored birth control and abortion as part of the genocidal war against the poor. Despite the negativity, Dorothy Day carried her crosses, lived as Jesus did, and through her work started a revolution.
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