Possibilian GOOD-centric

A Virtual Choir of Carmelites

In the aftermath of 9/11/2001, I created my “Let There Be Peace on Earth” compact disc with this song list: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB490835F2CDF5A2E

As my heart mightily grieved our loss, I hoped that the American response would reflect the religion of our President and the wisdom of our moral leader Martin Luther King, Jr.: “At the center of nonviolence stands the principle of love. The nonviolent resister would contend that in the struggle for human dignity, the oppressed people of the world must not succumb to the temptation of becoming bitter or indulging in hate campaigns. To retaliate in kind would do nothing but intensify the existence of hate in the universe. Along the way of life, someone must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate. This can only be done by projecting the ethic of love to the center of our lives.”

In my undying optimism, I hoped that George W. Bush would ask himself “What would Jesus do?” and then act accordingly. What a paradigm shift that would have been for the most powerful country on earth not to respond with violence. George W. Bush's acting on Christianity’s being a religion of peace while recognizing and honoring Islam as another religion of peace. Muslims throughout the world outraged that their beautiful religion had been hijacked by angry men; yet, also feeling respected by our country and invited by our country into our process of healing. Muslims shunning the few terrorists in their ranks as we all embraced the shared love at the core of all of our religious traditions. The media providing microphones to the voices of love and reconciliation rather than the voices of fear and anger in pursuit of a goal higher than ratings.

Was it possible then? Is it possible now? Will it ever be possible for us to rise above violence and respond with the love in which we all profess to believe? 

I was born in 1966, one year after Vatican II re-envisioned and reinvigorated the Roman Catholic Church. I would never have lost my heart to my home religion if not for the efforts of the Good Pope, John XXIII. Thank you!

  

Freelance Monkette now has a web site!

Freelance Monkette now has a web site for all things GOD-centric and Monkette. Please check it out:
http://www.freelancemonkette.com/

Come join me!

“Some keep the Sabbath going to the Church —

I keep it, staying at Home —

With a Bobolink for a Chorister —

And an Orchard, for a Dome —

Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice —

I just wear my Wings —

And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,

Our little Sexton — sings.

God preaches, a noted Clergyman —

And the sermon is never long,

So instead of getting to Heaven, at last —

I'm going, all along.”

~ Emily Dickinson, “Sabbath”