Sabbath Messages > Sabbath Message: May 28, 2005
Good Sabbath
May 28, 2005
"I miss him so much, the Marine's young widow says." Thus a Memorial Day weaves through our senses. One sage said that there is nothing sadder than a young pessimist. Perhaps sadder still are the young who die in another war of ambiguity as so many have become. The cruelty of Africa's internal wars is nothing compared with the stupidity of "advanced" nations who kill each other's young, in the name of what? God, gods, spiritual relief, satisfaction of vengeance, political opportunism?
"Do not despise the opinion of the world; you might as well say you do not care for the light of the sun, because we can light a candle." (Tryon Edwards)
Our social safety networks have radically changed; family members have moved all over the map for opportunities, making it difficult to be there for one another when times are rough.
I read "Earthwatch" each morning. It explains the week's events that have to do with weather, Mother Nature, etc. The headlines included solar storm, cross species infection, solar interference, desert swarms (locusts), earthquakes. wayward storm and eruptions, and that was for one week. It's enough to want to stay in bed. But we have no choices concerning these afflictions. Wars are mankind's permanent afflictions. Some even believe , in the name of the great Peacemaker who preached forgiveness, that the final rapture will come from a gigantic slaughter of "non-believers". I cannot imagine that forgiveness is replaced with hatred and slaughter, that in the name of rescuing humanity we must destroy what we say we are rescuing.
O Lord, where do You hide peace?
Behind a gorgeous sunrise,
A magnificent sunset
A blazing comet's tale
Another spring morning?
Just where is it hidden?
Or is it out there in clear sight
Away from the tyrants control
Off the screen of hi-tech games
In the minds of faithful believers
Who love and are loved
And in whose name You will renderpeace?
I asked one class of college students to define what they've learned about ethics and leadership. Diana Pacheco wrote:"ethics and leadership are defined each generation." (and so they are). Mike Wolf wrote: "the most respected and successful people are those who integrate ethics with their leadership." Nick Taylor wrote:"we long for genuine, trustworthy interaction where we live and work; we experience fulfillment when our relationships with others are honest, grounded in truth of who we are." Tom Brothers wrote of nobility: morality and ethics are often put into place by your parents as they were with me" and adds lines from Henry V:
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.
For he today that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother, be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition."
Fran and I went to an "open microphone" event at the Bronze Triangle (communities east of the ballpark) where gangs have infested an already downtrodden society, where parents still raise the next generation; and now through the organizing of a regional "Gang Summit", instigated by magnificent leader, ex-welfare mother, Gail Walker, hope will try to rise over despair, where failure is the expectation but success will change their world; the community realizes that hope doesn't rise by itself; it is based fundamentally on faith in God, kindness towards each other, understanding why gangs exist as substitute for parents, and that hopelessness can be erased by action of and the wisdom of the collective community. Here we heard ex-gang members and chieftains, who had been in prison and done foolish things, beginning by age 14, share their experiences and why they had changed in order to help raise a new generation, no longer as gang members, but as leaders and participants, unwilling to wait through apathy and neglect and made-up excuses.
I watched, listened , met their wives and children, thought about what each had said and have great hope that we will succeed because of an uncommon togetherness, admired and inspired by a God of love and forgiveness.
Each day brings a sunrise and opportunity, both bright with possibilities, not waiting for Mother Nature, but bettering the fullest aspirations of Human Nature.
Take a hand, hold it tight, believe in each other and then God will light up your passage.
sandy
