Bad Words in NCAA Tournament – Racism Alive & Well

It was late in the first half of Thursday’s second-round NCAA tournament match-up between Kansas State and the University of Southern Mississippi. Kansas State’s point guard, Angel Rodriguez, was fouled … not merely by a player on the court, but by Southern Miss band members in the stands who chanted “Where’s your green card?” These young adults need a lesson in history and geography, and a strong lesson in conduct. 

Yes, Rodriguez is from Puerto Rico … a U.S. commonwealth, whose Chief of State is the President of the United States of America. Mr. Rodriguez doesn’t need a green card. Even if he were from a foreign country, would it matter? It shouldn’t. The conduct of these band members is deplorable. It echoes a long American history of racism and xenophobia (fear of “strangers”, “foreigners”). 

As a privileged, white American woman I would love to believe that racism in this country ended with the civil rights movement of the 60s. Unfortunately, it hasn’t. The President of Southern Mississippi apologized to Mr. Rodriguez and vowed to take “quick and appropriate disciplinary action against the students involved in this isolated incident”. Regrettably, this is not an “isolated incident”. Sadly, bigotry, prejudice, racism – however you want to name it – is alive and well. These band members brought it out of the shadows into a very public arena. Just like a bumper sticker that I saw today which read: “Don’t Re-Nig in 2012”. I am appalled at both. There is a racial undercurrent in this country that all of us need to be mindful of and that we must cry out against when it rears its ugly head. 

The Southern Miss band members involved need to be reprimanded and reminded of Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.” (NRSV) In other words, if you haven’t got anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all. Don’t get me wrong. I fully believe in freedom of speech, provided by the First Amendment to the Constitution. What I don’t believe in is the use of any form of language that belittles, denigrates or harms any person. That’s just wrong. And I do not believe that racial epithets are what the authors of the First Amendment had in mind.

“Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12:18, NRSV) 

What we need is more healing in this country and around the world. Only sincere dialog, rather than throwing painful words like hand grenades, can begin the healing process. Healing and social transformation are precisely what Martin Luther King, Jr. began with his Dream and the civil rights movement. But, racism, like so many diseases is insidious. Too many of us ignore subtle symptoms until we suffer devastating and irreparable consequences of the disease and succumb to it. We cannot ignore the symptoms of racism. We cannot permit those symptoms to go unchecked. We must continue striving toward the Dream, so that one day it will be realized and we will live together in peace. 

Merciful God, we pray for courage and diligence, to quiet those who would oppress - those who would harm others with their rash words of intolerance. Soften their hearts to see and appreciate the diversity of humanity that you created, so that they may finally love their neighbors as themselves. Amen.

Blowing the Whistle … Personal Foul! Priest should be taken out of the ‘game’.

When Jesus shared the bread and wine with his disciples during the Last Supper and said “Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19b), he intended for this sacrament to be shared with ALL disciples.   

It has taken me nearly 2 weeks to compose myself and quell my anger enough to write about this matter. In late February, Barbara Johnson lost her 85 year old mother. Barbara was at her mother’s side at the end, reciting Hail Mary’s, in keeping with their Roman Catholic tradition and faith. During the funeral, Father Marcel Guarnizo refused to administer Holy Communion to Barbara because she is gay. Personal Foul! Then, when Barbara, grief-stricken and now traumatized by the priest’s very public denigration, arose to deliver her mother’s eulogy, Father Guarnizo walked out. Technical foul! This is worthy of throwing him out of the ‘game’.

Barbara and her brother are outraged at Father Guarnizo’s conduct, just as I am. The archdiocese of Washington apologized stating that “what should have been a celebration of your mother’s life…was overshadowed by a lack of pastoral sensitivity”. ‘Lack of pastoral sensitivity’ is a gross understatement for what occurred here. Barbara said “This isn’t about gay rights and it isn’t about Catholic bashing, it is simply about the conduct of a reprehensible priest”. Yes and no.

Barbara, you’re right, it is about a reprehensible priest whose conduct makes him unworthy for parish ministry. AND it is also about ‘holier-than-thou’ attitudes that demean lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) persons. Barbara, it IS about gay rights, just as much as it is about your dignity. You know, it is almost understandable for some politicians to make anti-gay comments, “for they know not what they do”. (Luke 23:34) It is not understandable or acceptable for a ‘man of the cloth’ to be so belittling, rude, insensitive, un-Christian and unlawful. That’s right, bullying and hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity are illegal in the U.S., since President Obama signed the Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law. Clergy are not immune from the law.

Public policy aside, clergy are not immune from God’s law and commandments. Christian clergy in particular have an obligation to live by and to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “[W]hich commandment in the law is the greatest?” [Jesus] said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all you heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all of the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:36-40) This means treating EVERYONE with the dignity and respect that God intends for all humanity. This means embracing ALL people, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, economic status, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, color, height, weight, disability or any other unique characteristics that diversify humanity. All are created in God’s image. All are loved by God.

Barbara Johnson is really not that different from other Americans. She loves another human being and has been in a committed relationship with her for 19 years. That’s better than many heterosexual marriages. In fact, if LGBT couples were granted equality in marriage across the country, I would predict a drop in the national divorce rate. Any couple, gay or straight, who shares that kind of deep emotional and spiritual bond should be praised not condemned. No individual should be condemned for who they are, simply because the person is different in some way. “Shunning a grieving daughter at her mother’s funeral is a heartless act that violates the great commandment Jesus gave to love God and love our neighbor.” (Rev. Troy Plummer, United Methodist Church)  Intolerance and bullying of anyone, based on their differences, cannot and should not be tolerated, especially bullying and discrimination by Christian clergy.

Homosexuality and Christianity DO go together. There are many Christian denominations that support LGBT persons. The United Church of Christ[1] is a strong advocate for LGBT rights, as are the Episcopal Church[2] and the Unitarian Universalist Church[3]. All three denominations ordain openly gay clergy. The Presbyterian Church, United Methodist Church and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are moving toward ordination of gay clergy. In the White House[4] the Obama administration affirms the humanity and civil rights of LGBT persons, as do the American Civil Liberties Union[5] and the Human Rights Campaign[6]. Go to their websites to learn more or participate in the promotion of LGBT civil rights. Together, with the help of God, we can live in a world free from discrimination and hatred based on sexual orientation and gender identity. “I have a dream …”[7]

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[1] http://www.ucc.org, http://www.ucc.org/lgbt/  

[2] http://www.episcopalchurch.org

[3] http://www.uua.org, http://www.uua.org/lgbt/witness/index.shtml

[4] http://www.whitehouse.gov, http://www.whitehouse.gov/lgbt

[5] http://www.aclu.org, http://www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights

[6] http://www.hrc.org

[7] I Have a Dream speech by Martin Luther King, Jr., August 28, 1963; http://www.mlkonline.net/dream.html

 

Are Staggering Gas Prices Blinding Us?

Recently a man fell victim to a carjacking in Detroit. This gentleman is an 86-year-old World War II veteran. He was on his way home from bible study that morning and stopped at a local gas station. While there, he was struck from behind and knocked to the pavement, breaking his leg in the fall. The thief then drove off with his 2010 Chrysler 200. Unable to stand, this elderly victim had to crawl to get help inside the station. People outside the station completely ignored this poor man, simply walking by and going about the business of filling their tanks. Only after he dragged himself inside the gas station was aid given, by the station attendant and another kind soul. While I am appalled at the perpetrator of the carjacking, I am even more appalled at those who did not come to this veteran’s aid following the crime. Was everyone outside the station simply blinded and numbed by the staggering prices at the pump? Why did no one lend a hand to this neighbor in need?

“And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.” (Luke 10:29-30) So, here is our innocent victim lying beside the road, just like our elderly veteran. Both a Priest and a Levite (righteous, upstanding leaders of their day) saw the beaten man lying there, but rather than help, they each passed by on the other side of the road. Then along came a Samaritan (a foreigner and outcast of society) who saw the wounded man lying there, tended to his wounds and took him to an inn where he paid the innkeeper to take care of the man. The Samaritan was a perfect stranger to this man. “Which one of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36-37)

 

What blinds us and prevents us from doing likewise? No, I don’t believe that it is the price at the pump. Certainly there must be those who are afraid of ‘getting involved’.  Folks, fear is nothing more than False Evidence Appearing Real (FEAR). Most of our fears are unjustified. We worry about them and they never come to pass. And in the case of helping a neighbor in need, I must believe that God ‘has our backs’. So, as they say in the Nike commercials: “Just do it!” 

What else blinds us to doing likewise? Perhaps it is the rat-race that so many of us run. We live in a very fast paced society. Much of our time is spent scrambling after the almighty dollar so that we can make ends meet. We busy ourselves with work, meetings, and various other activities that rob us of valuable quality time for relationships. Our busied lives become an impediment to helping a neighbor in obvious need of assistance. “No, I don’t have time; I’ll be late. Someone else will help him.” What if no one else does? What then? Schedules can be adjusted. If someone’s life is lying in the balance, our immediate intervention may be the one act that spares that life. There may be one chance, one moment and we may be the only ones to make it happen. And if it makes us late, I have to believe that our tardiness will be forgiven based on our Good Samaritan act.

I pray that apathy is not the blinding issue, for that would be a very sad commentary for our society. Those who are apathetic are overwhelmed by the world, devoid of love and have lost all hope. Without love and hope they cannot care for themselves, let alone a neighbor in need – to survive they become numb, insulating themselves to the world and its cares. These too, like the man who fell into the hands of robbers, are our neighbors in need. Only love and kindness can reverse the numbing condition of apathy. We all know cynical, apathetic people. Their insulation is thick and their hearts are hardened. But we must not turn our backs on them. Love can penetrate the hardened exterior and warm the coldest heart.  “Love is patient, love is kind … It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:4a, 7) Let us make no excuses. Let us step out of our comfort zones in love to help our neighbor, even if that neighbor is a perfect stranger. 

Let us remove our ‘blinders’, whatever they may be. Pay attention to those moments God affords us each day and seize the opportunity to help our neighbor. What kind of help? Perhaps it is simply looking a stranger in the eye to say “good morning”, making the invisible, apathetic person feel visible again. Perhaps it’s calling 911 for an accident or crime just observed. Perhaps it’s slowing down to allow someone to merge into traffic. Perhaps it’s stopping to help someone pick up their groceries that just fell from the rain-soaked sack. Perhaps …. Oh, there are so many opportunities to be captured in the moment. We may not be able to roll back gas prices to days gone by. But we can make God’s presence, grace and love very tangible for others in our daily lives. Christ calls each of us to “Go and do likewise.” Let us go.

I'm not giving up my seat to a bully

Last week I found myself on an emotional roller coaster, as I followed the news. The week started on a high. On Monday, in the State of Washington, Governor Chris Gregoire signed into law a marriage equality bill, making Washington the 7^th State in the nation to affirm gay marriage. Other States to legalize gay marriage are New York, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia (Washington DC). And over 3000 miles away on the very same day, the New Jersey legislature passed a similar bill.

Then came the low. New Jersey would have become the 8^th State in the nation to legalize gay marriage. Unfortunately, on Friday of last week, Gov. Chris Christie placed personal biases and political aspirations before the people of New Jersey. He vetoed the bill. Well, why don’t we simply tell all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered folks to ‘sit at the back of the bus’? Well, like Rosa Parks, I’m not willing to give up my seat at the front of the bus.

 In response to the veto in New Jersey I found myself feeling angry, frightened, beaten, disheartened, and disenfranchised. Now, I could wallow in self-pity or I could evaluate the situation and figure out what to do. As an aspiring member of the clergy, I could not permit the former. So, I chose the latter. In assessing the situation, I realized that the political games like that played in New Jersey last week, with the vetoing of the gay marriage bill, are nothing more than bullying. Then I thought, if we won’t tolerate bullying on our children’s playgrounds, we most certainly should not tolerate bullying by politicians. But, how can I address that?

 I searched for biblical guidance, thinking of those prophets who stood up for justice and righteousness – Isaiah, Jeremiah, and John “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord”! (Lk 3:4b NRSV) Christ too stood up to bullies – “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone” (Jn 8:7b NRSV). But who am I? What power do I possess to change things? The good news is I am not alone. I am never alone, for God is with me always.

And there are Christians and others who are willing to take on those bullies and promote justice. The United Church of Christ (UCC)[1] is one denomination, among others, willing to stand up to bullies, on behalf of LGBT persons and others who are oppressed. The UCC advocates for LGBT rights. “In order for universal human rights standards to be truly universal, every person, whatever their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, is entitled to the full enjoyment of all human rights. …In faithfulness to the biblical and historic mandate holds that, as a child of God, every person is endowed by God with worth and dignity that human judgment cannot set aside; and deplores the use of scripture to generate hatred and the violation of human rights …”[2].  In secular society, organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)[3] and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC)[4] support and advocate for LGBT rights. These are just a few organizations who will stand with me and whose collective voices can effectively change things.

I realize that I must continue to hope. I must continue to pray. I must fully trust in the merciful, loving and just God who created me and calls me to ministry. “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Ps. 121:2) I realize that I must continue to live my life in such a way that it is pleasing in God’s eyes, to change one heart at a time. I must carefully and selectively support those organizations that will advocate for justice and basic human rights for all persons. Then, empowered by the Spirit, the groundswell for justice and righteousness will overcome the discrimination, oppression and hatred. Trusting in God, I like Rosa Parks will not give up my seat at the front of the bus. And I fully believe that one day I, as others like me, will enjoy the freedom of marrying the one I love. With the help of God, one day America will live its pledge – “one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all”. Thanks be to God. Amen.

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[1] www.ucc.org

[2] http://www.ucc.org/synod/resolutions/gs28/Resolution-on-Sexual-Orientation-Rights.pdf

[3] www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights

[4] www.hrc.org

Valentine's Day - Fairness in Love?

We’ve all heard the saying: All is fair in love and war. Is it? Can all of us express deep and abiding love freely and without concern of reprisal or retribution? Sadly, not all are created equal under the law. But there are lawmakers in our great country who believe all should be fair and equal in love - lawmakers like Rep. Walsh in Washington State in this video from last week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbmbdWK6338

True, Rep. Walsh is a mom who loves her daughter unconditionally. Let’s put that aside for the moment.  Is there really any credence to this whole gay-marriage debate?

You betcha! This goes far beyond the heart-wrenching denial of two people being able to share the deep, abiding love and bond that Rep. Walsh speaks of. This is about inalienable human rights … basic human rights that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke about to the UN general assembly in Geneva 2 months ago. I freely admit that I have not seen eye to eye with Sec. Clinton on numerous matters. But in this matter she was right on target! This is walking in the footsteps of Christ and looking out for the “least of these”(Mt. 25:40).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MudnsExyV78

Why should Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender (LGBT) persons be treated as second class citizens anywhere in the world? And shouldn’t the U.S. be leading the charge for equality? Are LGBT persons really so different from everyone else? No. God created humanity with incredible diversity of race, color, height, weight, and yes - sexual orientation. Why should anyone be denied the right to carry a spouse on a healthcare policy? LGBT persons can’t in many states. Why should spouses be denied the opportunity to file jointly on their tax returns? LGBT persons can’t. Why should a surviving spouse have to pay federal taxes on death benefits or worse yet lose a jointly owned home due to no legal rights of survivorship? That’s the case for LGBT persons. Why are LGBT persons treated like second-class citizens, when they produce fabulous, upright, God-fearing, faithful, law-abiding children like Zach? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMLZO-sObzQ

There are those who claim ‘biblical authority’ in condemning LGBT persons … for their ‘sinful’ lifestyle. How are honesty, integrity, a sound work ethic, love of God and country, going to church, holding a job, owning a home, paying taxes and raising a family sinful? If those are sins, then we would have to condemn most Americans. These core values are precisely why JC Penny hired Ellen Degeneres as their spokesperson. Pulling passages of scripture out of context to condemn or oppress any group of people is the true sin! What about the rest of the biblical “edicts” and holiness codes found in the bible? How many ‘normal’ people today wear garments of different kinds of cloth? Should we stone them? How dare anyone, especially any Christian, demoralize any person with some quote from scripture? Would Jesus do that? Not on your life. We should read biblical passages in context and apply them to our own lives. The bible should not be used as a harmful weapon under any circumstances. “First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.” (Mt 7:5)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD52OlkKfNs

What is the old song? “They will know we are Christians by our love”. Will they? Would Jesus really condone the kind of inhumane, oppressive, sometimes violent behavior against LGBT persons that exists today? No, he wouldn’t. How is such inequality showing love of God and love of neighbor? Nowhere in the Gospels does Jesus condemn same-sex relationships. It’s simply not there. And its absence speaks volumes.

Before  blanketly condemning “homosexuality”, look around. Is there someone you know, respect and care about deeply that may not be ‘out of the closet yet’? Perhaps it’s one of their kids or grandkids that you helped raise. Are they really ‘criminals’? How is it a crime for committing oneself to a loving, lifelong relationship? Would you go to prison for being in love with your spouse? I would. I would give my life for the one I love. For LGBT persons prison, abuses and death are possibilities; for ‘straight’ folks they’re not. How is that fair or just? 

Today, on Valentine’s Day, many will be able to freely share expressions of deep and abiding love for one another – legally sanctioned with all of the rights and privileges thereto. A large segment Americans cannot, because it is illegal. All is fair in love and war? – No, it’s not … at least not yet. “Faith, hope and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” (1 Co 13:13) Love is a gift from God that cannot and should not be denied to anyone. May God’s love prevail.

Death - Final Answer?

Death – we can’t avoid it. It’s part of the natural circle of life. It is something we will all face. The older we get, many of us begin to fixate on its inevitability and its finality. 

 But is that where we should focus?

Is death the final, cold punctuation of our lives? Not according to the Gospel of John – “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NRSV)  In John 14, Christ promises us a place in that heavenly “house”. And so that we have no worries about our standing with God, Paul reminds us in Romans 8 that there is absolutely nothing that can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. All of us, one in Christ, have no worries about what will come to pass after our mortal lives are over. But while the prospect of eternity with our Creator gives us hope, should we really be focusing on that finish line? Shouldn’t we rather focus on the race leading up to the finish line?

 

Linda Ellis wrote a magnificent poem called The Dash (http://lindaellis.net/the-dash/) – you know, that little dash between our date of birth and our date of death. In its conclusion she asks if we will be proud of how we spent our "dash", when our eulogy is read. How do we want to be remembered? What does Jesus call each of us to do? – “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you;” (Matthew 7: 12a NRSV); and “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 19:19b). We need to live our lives in a way that reflects these ideals. And we need to live so TODAY, for what if tomorrow never comes?

Each day, we have a choice to have a good day or a bad day … to make a positive impact or a negative one – Yes, it’s our individual choice regardless of circumstances. Sure, each of us has many burdens to bear. But we need to take the focus off of ourselves and begin to see those around us who are hurting even more than us, whether in body, mind or spirit. Just look around you. How can you leave a positive heart-print in someone's life today? What if a simple smile or a hello is the one thing that makes a hopeless, suicidal person desire to live again? … a handshake, a hug, a phone call, an email, a text … what is the one thing that you can do today to make Christ’s love tangible in our world? If everyone looked for and acted on those little opportunities of grace, think of the ripple-effect when they’re paid forward! LIVE today. Each day is a gift! Don’t waste it. Each morning when you wake, thank God for the gift of a new day and for the opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Morning has broken - what are you going to do with it?

http://youtu.be/FP7Ry9MfkQU 

Where is God in Disasters?

Storm damage - clean up in progress

Destruction everywhere - seemingly endless

Then the chainsaws began to buzz ...

Shovels and rakes and implements of destruction began to reshape and reclaim the landscape ...

Faith in action ... God at work through many hands ....

Power tools are a girl's best friend

THIS is America ... no mudslinging ... no politics ... just love and grace in a community of believers reaching out to those in need

Why do so many folks tend to focus on the gloom and gore of disasters? What about the good? Rather than ask "How could God permit this tragedy?", why not look for God's love and grace amid the tragedy?

These images are from local disasters of an EF1 tornado in the Charlotte/Potterville (MI) area in 2008 and a wind and hail storm in the Charlotte area in 2009. In 2011, we witnessed even more horrific natural disasters around the globe .... from the earth quake and tsunami in Japan to the EF5 tornado in Joplin, MO. Stemming from these tragic events, headlines have read: "Why does God allow natural disasters?" (BBC News Magazine; http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8467755.stm).  Still others ask: "Is God punishing us with natural disasters?" Is God? Could God? Has God simply given up on us and abandoned us? I must answer with a resounding "NO!"

Perhaps a more appropriate question is where can we find God in all of the horrific tragedies of life? I do not for one minute believe that God creates such events. A God of love and grace cannot be the cause. And contrary to Marcion's belief, God does not have an evil twin. I believe with all my heart that God responds to the chaos and horror of our world with benevolence, love and grace. Just as God was manifest to the world and humanity in the man, Jesus of Nazareth, God’s Spirit becomes manifest in our world today through humanity. Each of us has the capacity to be powerful instruments of God’s love and grace. We can make God’s love tangible even in the worst of circumstances. Is that not what Christ calls us to do? Jesus said: “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16, NRSV)

Wasn’t it Petula Clark who sang many years ago “What the world needs now is love sweet love”? That is SO true! What the world needs now more than ever before is God’s love sweet love. It is up to us as beloved children of God and disciples of Christ to make that love known throughout the world. Even if we only make it known, by letting Christ’s light shine through us in our little corners of the world, we can make the world a better place little by little. Mother Theresa said: “I can do no great things, only many things with great love.” Let it be so! Let each of us be the hands and feet of God … reaching out in love to give hope those who are hurting in body, mind or spirit.

Do we need to wait for significant natural disasters to act? I certainly hope not! Nor does everyone have to wield an 18-inch Husquvarna chainsaw, as I love to do. Yes, our congregation mobilized, in a matter of days, over 80 physically able people to help with the local disasters pictured above. Amid disasters like hurricane Katrina, the tsunami in Japan and the tornado in Joplin, thousands were mobilized to lend a helping hand. We need not be that physically able. Most certainly, we should not wait for such events or grand-scale mobilization to touch others with the love of Christ. We are given opportunities each and every day to make a positive difference in the lives of others that may be just as powerful, potentially more powerful, than the “big events”.

Tragedies happen in many shapes and sizes … lost pets, loved ones lost to cancer or freak auto accidents, job loss, homes lost to foreclosure, bankruptcy, divorce, amputation from injury in war … and the list goes on. Those facing the tragedy, no matter how big or small in the great scheme of things, need to know the love of God. God is present … we need to make that presence tangible. Seek to see the world as God sees it … with love, benevolence and grace. Then seize the moments placed before you, be filled with the Spirit, and let Christ’s light and love shine forth. Jesus said: “for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me …Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:35-36, 40).

 Go ... touch someone's heart today.