“It’s not the violence of the few that scares me, it’s the silence of the many.”—Martin Luther King, Jr.
Verse of the day
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to abolish things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God.
– 1 Corinthians 1:27-29
Voice of the day
Christendom adjusts itself far too easily to the worship of power. Christians should give more offense, shock the world far more, than they are doing now.
– Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “Bonhoeffer Quotes to Remember a Pastor Who Resisted Evil Unto Death”
Prayer of the day
God, help us to boldly reject the worship of power and live as true disciples of Christ, challenging the world with the humility, love, and servanthood that reflects your kingdom.
“I have always believed that my duty is not only to liberate myself from the oppressor, but also to liberate my oppressors from their hatred and fear.”—Mahmoud Khalil, illegally detained pro-Palestinian activist, US permanent resident, and Columbia University student
Verse of the day
Pilate therefore said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you and power to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
– John 19:10-11
Voice of the day
Jesus is that great voice of otherwise, who saw the contradictions of the gospel to the Roman Empire and who acted out an alternative.
– Walter Brueggemann, “Jesus Acted Out the Alternative to Empire”
Prayer of the day
Help us follow Jesus, who saw the contradictions of empire and offered an alternative vision of your kingdom, where justice, peace, and love reign, not of this world but from you alone.
“Our healing is intimately tied to the healing of the collective. When we are committed to true community, we seek justice for all who are suffering. Solidarity is an essential part of community and healing together.”
—Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, Monk in the World: An Online, Self-Study Retreat
In what way has your personal healing journey nourished communal justice, and in what way has your justice seeking brought inner healing?
I have come to think that care of the soul requires a high degree of resistance to the culture around us, simply because that culture is dedicated to values that have no concern for the soul. — Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander (p. viii)
“If love and compassion thrive alongside the clear recognition of the importance and rights of others, they will reach even those who would do you harm.”—HH The Dalai Lama, How to Be Compassionate
I think that we can say that democracy is a form of government that demands more virtue of its citizens than any other form of government, but I do not think that we can say that democracy guarantees that the virtue will be exercised. So let us term freedom of choice less a virtue than a necessity, a precondition to real freedom, which is the ability to make choices that are generous, loving, and wise. Our wills are not free when they will what is bigoted, narrow, ungenerous. Our wills are only free when they can will the will of a loving God. “Thy will be done on earth.” — Credo, pp. 80-81
“Poverty is the worst form of violence.”—Mohandas Gandhi
“This is an extraordinary time full of vital, transformative movements that could not be foreseen. It’s also a nightmarish time. Full engagement requires the ability to perceive both.”—Rebecca Solnit
Pastor Michael Moore's Blog 