Fellowship Reconciliation Chicago

Thanks for the add. ¶ Watching, shopping, voting are not enough. The struggle between love & fear is shaping the world, & we're all needed to write the outcome. Don't just describe what you see in human nature, but choose what we all can become. ¶ People hear only what they want, so facts alone won't touch them; they need inspiration too. An echo of an echo of Buddha or Jesus, encrusted in ritual, loses context & content. Still, we write what we can. ¶ This world's diverse evils have a common root: Bullies, liars, thieves, & murderers - in market, government, & elsewhere - believe we're all separate, motivated only by greed. They want us to share that belief, for they use it to justify themselves, to keep us apart, to control all. They profit from perpetuating lies, wars, exploitation, poverty, & ecocide. Their power comes not so much from hidden cabals as from the framing implicit in their broadcasts. ¶ But they're mistaken about our motives. You & I have found love inside ourselves & our friends. It's in everyone, if only we can reach them, for we're all one flesh & blood. The bureaucracy of brutality cannot stand if we truly open the eyes of its workers. The tanks will halt when we wake their drivers or perhaps the general's granddaughter. Let's spread that vision, for until we do our other advances will be minor & temporary. ¶ Be of good cheer: the world is waking; help us speed it. Worldwide enlightenment has no precedent; we must discover & erase its bounds en route. "Make love not war" is as serious as Orwell & as light as "Chocolat." For a start, just talk with people, in whatever way feels right for you - that may not sound like much, but really it's huge. Try to hear the deeper questions, the feelings behind the words. Each of us knows only part of the song, but keep singing. Keep questioning, hoping, resisting. Hand in hand, we may still heal this world. ¶ Eric

Canticle of Brother Sun

Most High Almighty Good Lord, Yours are praise, glory, honor and all blessings; To You alone! Most High, do they belong, and no man is worthy of speaking Your Name!

Be praised, Lord, with all Your creatures, and above all our Brother Sun, who gives us the day by which You light our way, and who is beautiful, radiant and with his great splendor is a symbol to us of You, O Most High!

And be praised, Lord, for our Sister Moon and the Stars. You created them in the heavens bright, precious and beautiful!

And be praised, Lord, for our Brother the Wind and for the air and the clouds and for fair weather and for all other through which You sustain Your creatures.

And be praised, Lord, for our Sister Water, so useful, and humble, and chaste!

And be praised, my Lord, for our Brother Fire, through whom You light up the night and who is handsome, joyful, robust, and strong!

And be praised, my Lord, for our Sister, Mother Earth, who supports and carries us and produces the diverse fruits and colorful flowers and trees!

Praise and bless the Lord and give thanks to Him and serve Him with great humility!

Be praised, my Lord, for our Sister, bodily Death from whom no living man can escape!

Woe only to those who die in mortal sin; but blessed are those who have done Your most holy will; for the second death can cause them no harm!

Saint Francis of Assisi

Thanks for the request and for supporting Ms. Roy!

"The only dream worth having is to dream that you will live while you are alive, and die only when you are dead. To love, to be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and vulgar disparity of the life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never to forget." - Arundhati Roy

"'Tis not too late to seek a newer world..."

Peace,

The McGovern Tribute Space