Sadly, things have only gotten worse in the five years since I first wrote this. God help this nation… God help this world…
This afternoon has been a time of contemplation for me. There are observances all around the US and even the globe as September 11th, 2001 is remembered. I remember Nellis Air Force Base reeling as ordinary life went out the window as the threat level indicators rose to a wartime footing. I also remember the five months that I spent in Afghanistan and Uzbekistan in 2005. I vividly remember the visceral hatred of Muslims in the US, around the globe, and “down range” by the military members I served with. Much of the hatred came from people who said that they were christians (lower case is intentional). Fear and lies spread like wildfire and were still very much alive in 2008 when I deployed to Southwest Asia in support of operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other places.
Twenty years after the attacks on September 11th, much of that hatred and fear is still here. In addition, the division and fear-mongering continues to spread as this nation faces a surreal political environment where lies are spread as “truth” and paranoia has replaced critical thinking.
I sometimes wonder how I can keep my sanity as a pastor and Christ-follower. It is far too easy to slip into the language and way of hatred and division. When I find myself going down that path, the Spirit nudges me and invites me back to the path of love, justice, mercy, and peace that is the way of Jesus.
Today my contemplation and prayer focuses on all the victims of warfare, hatred, and fear along with victims of individual and corporate greed. Thomas Merton’s reflections in New Seeds of Contemplation (published in 1949) continue to speak to the world situation today.
When I pray for peace, I pray not only that the enemies of my own country may cease to want war, but above all that my country will cease to do the things that make war inevitable. (New Seeds of Contemplation, p. 121)
On this day, and every day, may this be both my prayer and a call to action. I invite you, dear reader, to join me on this journey towards peace. In the words of Saint Francis of Assisi’s prayer: Lord make me an instrument of Your peace.
“When we are waiting for a particular outcome, we are often filled with anxiety as we sit with the unknown. Patience calls us to remember that God’s time (which is beyond our chronos – or clock time) is present to us in our waiting. We can experience the fullness of time in the midst of waiting for time to unfold.”
—Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, The Soul’s Slow Ripening: 12 Celtic Practices for Seeking the Sacred
Have you ever experienced “the fullness of time”? If not, do you have a sense of what might be inhibiting that?
A self-study online companion retreat to this book is available here.
Verse of the day
Hatred stirs up strife; but love covers all wrongs.
– Proverbs 10:12, The Inclusive Bible
Voice of the day
Let us not tire of preaching love. Though we see that waves of violence succeed in drowning the fire of Christian love, love must win out; it is the only thing that can.
– Oscar Romero
Prayer of the day
God, soften our hearts where hurt has taken root. Teach us to choose love over resentment, grace over anger, and peace over strife. May love cover what hatred seeks to divide. Amen.
If we are patient, we can look at all the events of each day – expected and unexpected – as holding promise for us. Patience is the attitude that says we cannot force life but have to let it grow in its own time. Patience lets us see the people we meet, the events of the day, and the unfolding of history of our times as all part of the slow process of development and final liberation. — Discernment: Reading the Signs of Daily Life
Reflection Question: When have you experienced the most power times of returning to God?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
– Galatians 5: 22
“We each have within us many threshold places where our love of the Divine meets our love of the world, where our hearts and minds unite, where the differing parts of ourselves come together to listen to our calling in the world.”
—Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, Earth, Our Original Monastery: Cultivating Wonder and Gratitude through Intimacy with Nature
Where are the places within you where your wild edges meet?
To register for the self-study companion retreat to the book with extra resources and guidance click here. Use code EARTH20 to take 20% off through September 30th.
“The reality of pain is a given. When we deny this pain, we become prone to guilt and to becoming trapped in the spiral of self-blame and paralysis. These psalms [of lamentation] offer us as individuals and as communities of faith a way to pray together, speaking truth about pain and naming the reality we live in.”
—Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, Earth, Our Original Monastery: Cultivating Wonder and Gratitude through Intimacy with Nature
What are the truths of pain you’ve denied or have been denied to you?
To register for the self-study companion retreat to the book with extra resources and guidance click here. Use code EARTH20 to take 20% off through September 30th.
Verse of the day
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
– Isaiah 41:10 (The Inclusive Bible)
Voice of the day
Hope is a song in a weary throat.
– Pauli Murray
Prayer of the day
God of healing, fix what is broken, renew what is weary, and bring peace where there is pain. May your grace make us whole and may our hope be restored. Amen.
The soul bathes in ashes and honey,
bows down at the altar of grief,
savors life’s sweetness.
—Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, What Enters Through the Open Heart: Poems
When can you take time to intentionally rest in your soul’s experience?
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Verse of the day
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. – Matthew 5:9
– Matthew 5:9
Voice of the day
If we are serious about peace, then we must work for it as ardently, seriously, continuously, carefully, and bravely as we have ever prepared for war.
– Wendell Berry
Prayer of the day
Creator God, guide us in our labor as we work for peace, that we may be called your children.
A sermon about the question God wishes we asked more often so that God can offer God’s first and fundamental promise: “Yes, I will be with you always…
A Resounding Yes (Updated)
Pastor Michael Moore's Blog 