A bedrock principle of Quakerism is opposition to all war. Does Syria's chemical weapon's attack make any difference for this peace testimony? President Obama and Kerry made great points, laid out the case for a military response. I thought about it as I put the "War is not the Answer" sign in front of my Meetinghouse this past Sunday. What is the answer? What is the answer when atrocities happen, when madmen have unspeakably terrible weapons?
Just before she died, Gertrude Stein asked: “What is the answer?” No answer came. She laughed and said: “In that case, what is the question?” Then she died. So perhaps rather then thinking "what is the answer" it is better to ask "What is the question".
One question could be about how did, do and will we live our lives from the time we take our first breath to the last exhale? to will live in that power that takes away the occasion of war? Do we live in a way that feeds exploitation, domination and violence?
One question could be about how did, do and will we live our lives from the time we take our first breath to the last exhale? to will live in that power that takes away the occasion of war? Do we live in a way that feeds exploitation, domination and violence?
The way of true Love is not always strewn with rose petals.
The way of true Love is most often not easy or comfortable. But if we travel it faithfully, if we put our trust in that which is eternal, if we hold in our heart and focus our mind on the aspect of the love that is unconditional for all side of a struggle, the perpetrator as well as the victim, a Love not based upon anything done or said good or bad, on judgements, not based even on any past or present friendships, rather a love that just is. Living in that space we can find courage, we can find compassion, we can be content. Living in this question of honestly how do we live our lives then we are in a better position to "walk cheerfully over the earth answering that go God in everyone."
The way of true Love is most often not easy or comfortable. But if we travel it faithfully, if we put our trust in that which is eternal, if we hold in our heart and focus our mind on the aspect of the love that is unconditional for all side of a struggle, the perpetrator as well as the victim, a Love not based upon anything done or said good or bad, on judgements, not based even on any past or present friendships, rather a love that just is. Living in that space we can find courage, we can find compassion, we can be content. Living in this question of honestly how do we live our lives then we are in a better position to "walk cheerfully over the earth answering that go God in everyone."
…..
I, God, am in your midst.
Whoever knows me can never fall.
Not in the heights,
nor in the depths,
nor in the breadths.
For I am Love, which the vast expanses of evil can never still.
- Hildegard of Bingen
Whoever knows me can never fall.
Not in the heights,
nor in the depths,
nor in the breadths.
For I am Love, which the vast expanses of evil can never still.
- Hildegard of Bingen
