I just returned from a few days in Austin, Texas, speaking at a progressive seminary to a diverse audience of ministers, activists, educators, and compassionate human beings.
Your words are uplifting Barbara Frandsen. John’s statement today: “How bad things will get isn't a question we can answer. How good we will be in response is all we have within our hands and all we will ever have.” It’s a moment by moment Life we are leading. I plan to handle the moment in front of me and try, try, try not to falter when called to be the Best Version of Myself. That’s all I have to give. And I have to believe if I do this, others are also. How glorious to be standing up together with the Best of Humanity for a Better Humanity.
I believe we face frightening days. I pray for the personal courage to stand up for the values we know are right — democracy and care for humans who need our help. Hate will never overcome hate. I am convinced that this is the finest opportunity for those who follow a message of love. Which religion we follow does not matter. How we speak and how we behave toward one nother will matter.
In our church we are starting to begin services with the simple hymn "Do Not Give Up, We Were Made for this." As the congregation leans into it, the sound and spirit rises, the heart softens and our resolve stiffens. My thanks to all the many ministers, pastors, priests, roshis, imams, rabbis and Brahmins who are equally committed to tend the flames of the soul in these trying times.
I would like to quote one of my Buddhist teachers Thich Nhat Hanh:
"The next Buddha will not take the form of a person. The next Buddha will rather take the shape of a community, a community that practices understanding and loving kindness,a community that practices a way of conscious living. This is the most important thing for Earth's survival. "
I am familiar with a few of Thich Nhat Hans' wonderful words. The vision of a community is lovely. It seems to me that this is a time for people who care about others to come together. What could be better than to stand together in a community?
"How bad things will get isn't a question we can answer. How good we will be in response is all we have within our hands and all we will ever have." This foundational truth, John, is why I share this and so many of your essays so broadly. Thank you.
I go back and forth on whether to despair. Regardless, what you say is verifiably true: "History shows us that people overcome by evil are capable of novel and ever-more-inventive ways of inflicting suffering on other human beings. That can’t be what we are most burdened with right now. How bad things will get isn't a question we can answer. How good we will be in response is all we have within our hands and all we will ever have." Thank you, John. 💝
A card given to me: "This, my dear, is the greatest challenge to being alive: to witness the injustice of this world, and not allow it to consume our light." Keep inspiring us, John....my
heart, our hearts need these blessings to extinguish the MAGA mud and falsehoods.
I believe that Christianity's better days may be coming after the current Disruption. After all, right now too many "conservatives" (still trying to figure out what it is that they're trying to conserve, other than their own feather-bed comfort in the world) have tossed the actual teachings of Jesus in a trashcan labeled "too woke", and are embracing the Biblical Sanhedrin/ Pharisee/ Roman mentality because they want power, wealth, and security for themselves. And it's going to fall apart because a society based on the 7 deadly sins as virtues will eventually collapse.
Meanwhile, we can be building the real deal: probably small churches of people loving God and each other, and doing what they can to keep the flame alive and spread it to others. After all, that's what saw Christianity alive during the 3 centuries of persecution, and had even their enemies saying, "See how they love each other!" May that be us.
CroneEver, The conservative churches often appear to have tossed the teachings of Jesus into the trash. This may become the time for rebuilding churches as places of love for all of God's children.
Exactly. The conservative churches are often driving their own children out of the Temple, and then wonder why the pews are empty. The children are finding food elsewhere, and we can provide that.
Thank you Pastor for your words of guidance and clarity. The Bible has passages about light putting out darkness. MLK knew that. Our resistance will focus on courage, love, healing, protection, joy. We will be the light.
Stories of kind, benevolent people are what we need now, John. It lifts our hearts to hear about the compassionate people who are working quietly behind the scenes, performing acts of kindness and care. These people don't make the headlines, so it's easy to feel despair, but our country is filled with good- hearted people who are still hold the torch of love.
We are the ones we have been waiting for. We will light the candle in the darkness.
Your words are uplifting Barbara Frandsen. John’s statement today: “How bad things will get isn't a question we can answer. How good we will be in response is all we have within our hands and all we will ever have.” It’s a moment by moment Life we are leading. I plan to handle the moment in front of me and try, try, try not to falter when called to be the Best Version of Myself. That’s all I have to give. And I have to believe if I do this, others are also. How glorious to be standing up together with the Best of Humanity for a Better Humanity.
I believe we face frightening days. I pray for the personal courage to stand up for the values we know are right — democracy and care for humans who need our help. Hate will never overcome hate. I am convinced that this is the finest opportunity for those who follow a message of love. Which religion we follow does not matter. How we speak and how we behave toward one nother will matter.
Yes!
Thank you, Bonnie!
Thank you for the daily dose of hope! You remind us again and again that WE can be the heroes we've been waiting for.
Ryan, you are a new hero!
In our church we are starting to begin services with the simple hymn "Do Not Give Up, We Were Made for this." As the congregation leans into it, the sound and spirit rises, the heart softens and our resolve stiffens. My thanks to all the many ministers, pastors, priests, roshis, imams, rabbis and Brahmins who are equally committed to tend the flames of the soul in these trying times.
Yes!! I feel this message to my core. ❤️ Thank you and blessings to you, John. 🙏🏻
As a Buddhist,
I would like to quote one of my Buddhist teachers Thich Nhat Hanh:
"The next Buddha will not take the form of a person. The next Buddha will rather take the shape of a community, a community that practices understanding and loving kindness,a community that practices a way of conscious living. This is the most important thing for Earth's survival. "
The Next Buddha has arrived.Just in time
Thank you Bambi for this wisdom from the East. ALL people of good heart and faith are in this together.🙏
I am familiar with a few of Thich Nhat Hans' wonderful words. The vision of a community is lovely. It seems to me that this is a time for people who care about others to come together. What could be better than to stand together in a community?
Yes. Our sangha here. Refuge. Rest. Regroup.
"How bad things will get isn't a question we can answer. How good we will be in response is all we have within our hands and all we will ever have." This foundational truth, John, is why I share this and so many of your essays so broadly. Thank you.
I go back and forth on whether to despair. Regardless, what you say is verifiably true: "History shows us that people overcome by evil are capable of novel and ever-more-inventive ways of inflicting suffering on other human beings. That can’t be what we are most burdened with right now. How bad things will get isn't a question we can answer. How good we will be in response is all we have within our hands and all we will ever have." Thank you, John. 💝
Beautifully written. Your words are correct that "how good we will be in response is all we have within our hands. . ."
Thank you! Love to hear the work that is being done to protect the vulnerable.
A card given to me: "This, my dear, is the greatest challenge to being alive: to witness the injustice of this world, and not allow it to consume our light." Keep inspiring us, John....my
heart, our hearts need these blessings to extinguish the MAGA mud and falsehoods.
Lovely! Thank you for sharing. I agree that our greatest challenge is to see the injustice without being consumed by it.
We can - and must - stand up for what is right and is the promise of our country.
BUT HOW?!?!
Gayle, I imagine the "how" will become evident. Like you, I want some suggestions. Maybe what to do will unfold with events.
Well stated, Star.
I believe that Christianity's better days may be coming after the current Disruption. After all, right now too many "conservatives" (still trying to figure out what it is that they're trying to conserve, other than their own feather-bed comfort in the world) have tossed the actual teachings of Jesus in a trashcan labeled "too woke", and are embracing the Biblical Sanhedrin/ Pharisee/ Roman mentality because they want power, wealth, and security for themselves. And it's going to fall apart because a society based on the 7 deadly sins as virtues will eventually collapse.
Meanwhile, we can be building the real deal: probably small churches of people loving God and each other, and doing what they can to keep the flame alive and spread it to others. After all, that's what saw Christianity alive during the 3 centuries of persecution, and had even their enemies saying, "See how they love each other!" May that be us.
CroneEver, The conservative churches often appear to have tossed the teachings of Jesus into the trash. This may become the time for rebuilding churches as places of love for all of God's children.
Exactly. The conservative churches are often driving their own children out of the Temple, and then wonder why the pews are empty. The children are finding food elsewhere, and we can provide that.
Thank you Pastor for your words of guidance and clarity. The Bible has passages about light putting out darkness. MLK knew that. Our resistance will focus on courage, love, healing, protection, joy. We will be the light.
Bless you, Brother John, always the Bad News first, and then your Light... Thank you, and will reStack ASAP 🙏💯👍
Thank you for your reminder that in all this darkness we are not helpless; we can still focus on the good. Even more important now than ever.
This is beautiful and deeply needed for me today. Thank you John.
Stories of kind, benevolent people are what we need now, John. It lifts our hearts to hear about the compassionate people who are working quietly behind the scenes, performing acts of kindness and care. These people don't make the headlines, so it's easy to feel despair, but our country is filled with good- hearted people who are still hold the torch of love.
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