Ahh, spring in Montana.
And alas, no Youth Group tonight.
We were going to have a discussion about politics.
A young man from the Obama Campaign was rare'n to go...give us his spiel and then hopefully have a good question and answer session.
Politics is an interesting animal. Lucky for us, in this little Lutheran group, we are not trying to persuade anyone of ANYTHING. We simply are living out our questions, encouraging personal and social honesty in order to better love self and other with integrity.
I am going to quote a passage from "A Passion for the Possible" from Reverend William Sloan Coffin that deepens our understanding as we ponder politics, love, and the LAND that we live and eat from. (Remember the little plant that are now in lou of germination....also remember the picture below a few weeks ago with the picture above!)
Here tis:
"Genuine love expands, it doesn't contract.
True patriotism can only extend minds and hearts, extend them to the point where all citizens in every land will one day vote for a vision of human unity once so eloquently described by a candidate for no less a post than that of the U.S. presidency:
'We travel together, passengers on a little spaceship, dependent on its vulnerable supplies of air and soil; all committed for our safety to its security and peace, preserved from annihilation only by the care, the work, and I will say, the Love we give our fragile craft." (Adlai Stevenson)
- Rev. William Sloan Coffin
Politics and Religion can often be narrow, shallow, and one-sided. Our vision must be inclusive and full of love and justice. That is the kind of vision that is inspired by Jesus, but often overshadowed by the stupidity of....greed, structures, fear...etc..
At the heart of things is LOVE.
I tend to think that real LOVE is best defined while staring at a compost pit.
What do you think about that??? :)
--
Awe is the beginning of Wisdom, praise precedes faith.
- Rabbi Heschel
