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“The mission of the contemplative in this world of massive conflict and collective unreason is to seek the true way of unity and peace without succumbing to the illusion of withdrawal into a realm of abstraction from which unpleasant realities are simply excluded by force of the will. In facing the world with a totally different viewpoint, he maintains alive in the world the presence of a spiritual and intelligent consciousness which is the root of true peace and true unity among men.”–Thomas Merton, Faith and Violence (University of Notre Dame Press, 1968).

Reflecting on this comment reminds me how effective we can be if we choose to remain contemplative and engaged in the world around us. There are some among us who would encourage us to withdraw, to give up our engagement with the world. However, as Franciscans and children of the Incarnation it is our special charism to share the beauty of the world with those around us each day. It is very important however to continue to sit quietly each day a be still with God as we conceive God so that we can share that stillness and beauty with others. We literally live with and for others. As Merton says remain engaged and not succumb to the illusion of withdrawal. Peace.

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This weekend I attended a Peace and Justice Retreat at the St. Francis Springs Prayer Center in Stoneville, North Carolina. The retreat was sponsored by Holy Name Province of the Order of Friars Minor. We used principles developed by Pace Bene. I’ll write and react more to what I experienced but I wanted to post some of this material.

A Decalogue for a Spirituality of Nonviolence

by Rosemary Lynch and Alain Richard
Nonviolence invites us:

• To learn to recognize and respect the sacred in every person, including in ourselves, and in every part of creation. The acts of the nonviolent person help to free this sacredness in the opponent from obscurity or captivity.
• To accept oneself deeply, “who I am” with all my gifts and richness, with all my limitations, errors, failings and weaknesses. To live in the truth of ourselves, without excessive pride, with fewer delusions and false expectations.
• To recognize that what I resent, and perhaps even detest, in another, comes from my difficulty in admitting that this same reality lives also in me. To recognize and renounce my own violence, which becomes evident when I begin to monitor my words, gestures, reactions.
• To renounce dualism, the “we-they” mentality. This divides us into “good people/bad people” and allows us to demonize the adversary. It is the root of authoritarian and exclusivist behavior. It generates racism and makes possible conflicts and wars.
• To face our fear and to deal with it with love as well as courage.
• To understand and accept that the New Creation, the building up of the Beloved Community is always carried forward with others. It is never a “solo act.” This requires patience and the ability to pardon.
• To see ourselves as a part of the whole creation to which we foster a relationship of love, not of mastery, remembering that the destruction of our planet is a profoundly spiritual problem, not simply a scientific or technological one. We are one.
• To be ready to suffer, perhaps even with joy, if we believe this will help liberate the best within the other. This includes the acceptance of our place and moment in history with its trauma, with its ambiguities.
• To be capable of celebration, of joy, when transformations occur, when one sees the connection she or he had not seen before.
• To slow down, to be patient, planting the seeds of love and forgiveness in our own hearts and in the hearts of those around us. Slowly we will grow in love, compassion and the capacity to forgive.

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This weekend I’ll be participating in a Justice and Peace Retreat coordinated by the Friars of Holy Name Province. We’re traveling to Stoneville, North Carolina and the St. Francis Springs Prayer Center. I’m excited as I always am before a long trip. Tonight I’m having dinner with the Friars at Holy Peace Friary and then on to North Carolina in the morning. I’ll write more when I return. I feel blessed to be attending. I’m reminded of the words of the psalmist, “I will listen for the word of God; surely the LORD will proclaim peace To his people, to the faithful, to those who trust in him. Near indeed is salvation for the loyal; prosperity will fill our land. Love and truth will meet; justice and peace will kiss. Truth will spring from the earth; justice will look down from heaven. Peace be with you.

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I draw prayer round me like a dark protective wall, withdraw inside it as one might into a convent cell and then step outside again, calmer and stronger and more collected again.–Etty Hilsum.

I get quotes sent to me everyday from Gratefulness.org a ministry of Brother David Steindl-Rast. Today’s quote was what I needed to read today. I just purchased a new laptop and I can’t get it to run the Linux distribution I wanted. Of course I’m filled with a little anxiety because even though I know the distributor positive thoughts are foreign to me at times. Maybe something is troubling you. Peace.

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Minor Friar has a good post regarding May Day 2006 and the the current immigration debate. He’s also got a link to a good book on Catholic Social Teaching. The media and corporations have framed this debate falsely. Gee, what a surprise! The real issues is the greed of corporations in driving American citizens from their jobs through low wages and lack of benefits. This has created a vacuum into which comes the illegal immigrant day laborers many of whom remain in the United States. Both the American worker and the illegal immigrant workers are the victim while the corporations are dehumanizing both. The current plan to make illegal immigrants felons is yet again another way to dehumanize and marginalize working people. All of this got me to thinking of St. Matthew’s Gospel, ” For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me,naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Both the native worker and the immigrant among us need our prayers and help. The greedy corporations and employers need our help too. We’re not called to exclude or hate them, but to help them to see the dignity of all creation and bring them to repentance and conversion. Peace.

a minor friar: May Day

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More Light: Behind the Da Vinci Code

Paula has written an insightful piece on the DaVinci Code. I have not read the book but I’ve read some of the reactions by readers. My mother who is an old school Catholic was pretty upset when my nephew confronted her about some points made in the book. Catholicism is a beautiful religion with lots of room for everyone. I was away from the formal practice of my religion for nearly thirty years. I came back six years ago. One of the arguments used against Catholics is that they aren’t biblical. I’ve discovered in the past six years that there is more of the Bible and sacred scripture in the church than any of the other churches I visited.

One of the richest aspects of Catholicism is monasticism. With few exceptions monasticism has been neatly excised from western Christianity in the post-reformational period. The richness of Lectio Divina is incredible. The daily rhythm of the Divine Office and of the readings in the Lectionary are incredibly beautiful. To be sure the official church has made some real miscarriages of justice and strayed from the Gospel itself at times. On balance however it is the Catholic Church that continues to be the voice of prophecy in the west. Pope John Paul II was one of the few people who told President Bush that the pre-emptive War in Iraq was unnecessary and evil.
Most people were caught off guard when Pope Benedict XVI published “Deus Caritas Est”. His papacy was supposed to be a victory for conservatives and here he is presenting an encyclical that speaks of the interconnectedness of eros and agape. Awesome. Peace.

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I get a daily quote from Gratefulness.org and here is today’s quote.

“The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament.” –Brother Lawrence–The Practice of the Presence of God.

Brother Lawrence states a truth not often appreciated that we can be in God’s presence while in the the presence of others in our work place or in our kitchen. It’s just a matter of insight and openness. There is in truth no dichotomy since the kingdom of God is within us. Peace.

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Here is a link to Neil Young’s new album entitled “Living with War“. As a veteran of the Vietnam era and a lifelong peacenik I found it gratifying to listen to this album. I was beginning to wonder if there was anyone out there that had a voice to speak to the thousands of people killed, maimed and forever changed by this illegal war in Iraq. Neil’s getting a lot of grief from the right-wing dominated mainstream press. Prophets are never welcome and Neil is speaking truth to power. Praise God for men like Neil Young who have the courage to speak clearly in times when the voice of truth needs to be reaffirmed.

Another very moving song I recently listened to is “Dear Mr. President” by Pink. When I hear voices like this it gives me hope. Peace and all good to you.

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Steve Bogner has a very timely post on his blog today, Catholicism, Holiness and Spirituality. I believe that what you do is far more important that what you say. Walking what you talk is a far more effective demonstration of the Gospel than anything you might say. It’s politically popular to talk about family values and to speak of one’s faith, but frequently there is a disconnect when it comes to implementing gospel values in public policy.

Recently in the United States there has been a heated debate on immigration. It’s easy to blame our economic woes on immigration. The real issue is greed. There would be no immigration issue if there weren’t businesses here attracting these undocumented aliens. These businesses hire undocumented aliens and displace American workers. These businesses do this to lower their payroll costs. Some politicians and other looking for wedge issues have focused on the undocumented aliens when the real issue is greed. Fences at the border won’t end the problem of immigration nor will countless laws. Gospel values in the workplace would keep the American workers and value the lives of immigrants.

There are some businesses that employ these kinds of principles. One such employer is John D. Beckett. Mr. Beckett wrote a great book about his experiences. It’s called Loving Monday’s. I recommend it to you. In my own business, professional and personal endeavors I try to let my walking do my talking.

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I just caught the end of segment on tonight’s “Larry King Show” about a truly gifted advocate for peace. I remember seeing him on television programs but never spent much time paying attention to what he had to say. Today as I listened to a tape recorded prior to his death I couldn’t help but think of the quote from scripture, “and a child shall lead them.”

This poem was written by Mattie September 12, 2001. He was a very gifted young man who had much to offer.

For Our World

We need to stop.
Just stop.
Stop for a moment
Before anybody
Says or does anything
That may hurt anyone else.
We need to be silent.
Just silent.
Silent for a moment
Before we forever lose
The blessing of songs
That grow in our hearts.
We need to notice.
Just notice.
Notice for a moment
Before the future slips away
Into ashes and dust of humility.
Stop, be silent, and notice
In so many ways, we are the same.
Our differences are unique treasures.
We have, we are, a mosaic of gifts
To nurture, to offer, to accept.
We need to be.
Just be.
Be for a moment
Kind and gentle, innocent and trusting,
Like children and lambs,
Never judging or vengeful
Like the judging and vengeful.
And now, let us pray,
Differently, yet together,
Before there is no earth, no life,
No chance for peace.

Mattie J.T. Stepanek
September 12, 2001

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