Pope Francis shared the following thoughts at the end of an address he gave at an Interfaith gathering on the Ur Plain (the home of Abraham before he left to follow God’s call). We need to hear this message today, not the white christian nationalist message being delivered in Washington, DC.
Brothers and sisters of different religions, here we find ourselves at home, and from here, together, we wish to commit ourselves to fulfilling God’s dream that the human family may become hospitable and welcoming to all his children; that looking up to the same heaven, it will journey in peace on the same earth. — Against War: Building a Culture of Peace
It is up to us, today’s humanity, especially those of us, believers of all religions, to turn instruments of hatred into instruments of peace. It is up to us to appeal firmly to the leaders of nations to make the increasing proliferation of arms give way to the distribution of food for all. It is up to us to silence mutual accusations in order to make heard the cry of the oppressed and discarded in our world: all too many people lack food, medicine, education, rights, and dignity! It is up to us to shed light on the shady maneuvers that revolve around money and to demand that money not end up always and only reinforcing the unbridled luxury of a few. It is up to us to preserve our common home from our predatory aims. It is up to us to remind the world that human life has value for what it is and not for what it has. That the lives of the unborn, the elderly, migrants, and men and women, whatever the color of their skin or their nationality, are always sacred and count as much as the lives of everyone else! — Against War: Building a Culture of Peace, p. 59
Verse of the day
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.
– Hebrews 12:1
Voice of the day
Perhaps the fundamental work of witness is the act of faith—an ethical and imaginative leap beyond what we can see. It is a sober reverence of, and a commitment to fight for, the always-unknowable other.
– Sarah Aziza
Prayer of the day
God Our Refuge, history shows lineages of people who made the best out of what was broken. Teach us not to glorify their suffering, but to bear the burden of existence with them
“The art of photography reminds us that light and shadow are both essential for each other to create something beautiful and meaningful.”
—Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, Eyes of the Heart: Photography as a Christian Contemplative Practice
How do light and shadow complement each other in your spiritual life?
To register for the self-study companion retreat to the book with extra resources and guidance, click here. Use code HEART20 to take 20% off through May 31st.
Verse of the day
My brothers and sisters, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted.
– Galatians 6:1
Voice of the day
Do not become the ones who hurt you. Stay tender with your power. Never fight to injure, fight to uplift. Fight because you know that in this life, you deserve safety, joy, and freedom.
– Chanel Miller, Know My Name (2019)
Prayer of the day
May our methods of mending and mitigating harm be rooted in your tenderheartedness.
Verse of the day
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
– Hebrews 13:16
Voice of the day
Pity and compassion in a world of pain means nothing unless it leads to change.
– Dr. Bernardine Lacey
Prayer of the day
God our helper and healer, ready us to move beyond mere feeling, instead using our gifts to soothe pain.
Verse of the day
But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
– 1 Timothy 6:9
Voice of the day
A lust for power causes oppression / To rob the poor to senseless greed: / The wealthy few’s excessive profits / Tend to enslave the world to need.
– Philip Vera Cruz, “Profits Enslave The World”
Prayer of the day
God who is always enough, lead us to lifestyles that prioritize mutual flourishing instead of insatiable greed.
An ancient prophecy says that the peoples “shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks” (Is 2:4). This prophecy has not been fulfilled; on the contrary, swords and spears have turned into missiles and bombs. From where, then, can the journey of peace begin? From the decision not to have enemies. Anyone with the courage to look at the stars, anyone who believes in God, has no enemies to fight. He or she has only one enemy to face, an enemy that stands at the door of the heart and knocks to enter. That enemy is hatred. While some try to have enemies more than to be friends, while many seek their own profit at the expense of others, those who look at the stars of the promise, those who follow the ways of God, cannot be against someone, but for everyone. — Against War: Building a Culture of Peace, p. 58
“Nature can welcome us in and make us feel like we’re at home in the world.”
—Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, Virtual Celtic Pilgrimage: The Wisdom of Saints Colman, Sourney, and Patrick — A Self-Study, Online Retreat
When and where does nature welcome you home?
Verse of the day
As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed, we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the outcome that the Lord brought about, for the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
– James 5:10-11
Voice of the day
You just need to be a flea against injustice. Enough committed fleas biting strategically can make even the biggest dog uncomfortable and transform even the biggest nation.
– Marian Wright Edelman
Prayer of the day
Our Living Hope, give us the tenacity to be united nuisances against inequities that plague us.
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