“Western civilization, unfortunately, does not link knowledge and morality, it connects knowledge and power and makes them equivalent.”—Vine Deloria Jr.
Some thoughts from Thich Nhat Hanh as we traverse the interior and exterior world today.
Peace and compassion go hand in hand with understanding and non-discrimination. We choose one thing over another when we discriminate. With the eyes of compassion, we can look at all of living reality at once. A compassionate person sees himself or herself in every being. With the ability to view reality from many viewpoints, we can overcome all viewpoints and act compassionately in each situation. (The Pocket Thich Nhat Hanh, p. 146)
“As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world—that is the myth of the ‘atomic age’—as in being able to remake ourselves.”—Michael Nagler
Some food for thought as so many people are focused on what’s in it for me…
Be generous to the poor orphans and those in need. The man to whom our Lord has been liberal ought not to be stingy. We shall one day find in Heaven as much rest and joy as we ourselves have dispensed in this life. — St Ignatius of Loyola
Verse of the day
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
– Psalm 119:105
Voice of the day
Don’t follow the path. Go where there is no path and begin the trail. When you start a new trail equipped with courage, strength and conviction, the only thing that can stop you is you!
– Ruby Bridges
Prayer of the day
Jesus, you are the one who lights our path. As we start new trails for ourselves and those who will follow us, give us courage and strength.
Verse of the day
Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others.
– Philippians 2:3-4
Voice of the day
I’m fundamentally a hopeful person, because I know that decisions made the world as it is and that better decisions can change it. Nothing about our situation is inevitable or immutable, but you can’t solve a problem with the consciousness that created it.
– Heather McGhee, “The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together” (2021)
Prayer of the day
Lord, we make decisions every day that affect others. Help us to consider the needs of others as we pursue better decisions for the sake of the world.
Verse of the day
Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
– Daniel 12:3
Voice of the day
Just like moons and like suns, /
With the certainty of tides, /
Just like hopes springing high, /
Still I’ll rise.
– Maya Angelou, “Still I Rise”
Prayer of the day
God of the moon and stars, help us rise above divisiveness and hate. As we rise, let us lead the way for others to rise alongside us.
We cannot love God unless we love each other, and to love we must know each other. We know Him in the breaking of bread, and we know each other in the breaking of bread…even with a crust, where there is companionship. We have all known the long loneliness, and we know that love comes with community. — Dorothy Day in the postscript to her autobiography, The Long Loneliness: The Autobiography of the Legendary Catholic Social Activist which is also found in Dorothy Day, Thomas Merton and the Greatest Commandment: Radical Love in Times of Crisis, p. 190.
“Listening was an essential skill for the Peace Force. The work of peace required the ability to pay attention in a deep way, to not interrupt, and to hear what was said and left unsaid.”—Rivera Sun, The Crown of Light
Verse of the day
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
– Matthew 5:6
Voice of the day
But none of us can be erased if we refuse it. The idea of love, justice, and freedom do not belong to the powerful alone. It also belongs to us.
– Danté Stewart
Prayer of the day
Lord, bless us as we work to bring your words of love, justice, and freedom into all the world.
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