Turning, turning
As we prepare for the birth of this God in our lives, we are invited to turn away from an orientation on strength, prestige, social recognition and might. If we don’t, we might find ourselves with the religious leaders whom John rebukes. We might find ourselves on the side of the Empire who crucifies Jesus.
Trans Day of Remembrance 2022
In addition to honoring our dead, I want to offer the possibility of extending our gratitude to them, for the example of how to live one’s truth unconditionally in spite of Empire.
It’s Time for a Core Values Checkup!
I would contend that for the health, well-being, and sustainability (or longevity) of our communities, society-at-large, and our planet, we also ought to be re-examining our core values, those values that drive us from deep within, both individually and as a society.
Sparks Through Stubble
Today in worship we honor All Saints Day and All Souls Day, which, to me, have everything to do with inevitable change. Traditionally, All Saints’ Day is celebrated on November 1 and All Souls Day on November 2. The distinction between the two, historically, is that All Saints’ Day honored specifically those faithful people canonized by the institutional church and All Souls’ Day honors all of our beloved dead. Today, we blur those lines, knowing that there are many saints – wise and holy ancestors – whose sainthood will never be formally recognized due to their race, class, gender, sexuality, or politics, and that many who are formally recognized as saints have caused great harm through colonization, racism, anti-semisism, and more.