Man. I hate when you do this. Now I am sitting, uncomfortably, with my own biases and prejudices, and having to admit that I not the open-minded and fair person I like to think I am. Thank you, once again, for the push. I am a better person for reading your essay today.
What really struck me was the statement, If there is not room in the heart of God for Cory, then there is not room in the heart of God for me. How quickly we judge, condemn, cast away, Father forgive me.
Also, how important it is to be reminded while in our own humanity how important the love of God is between the cracks. I’m humbled. And ashamed that I continue to gather people, unfairly, into boxes because the whole of God’s creation is round - no beginning and no end and plenty of room for every humanity.
I grew up in fundamentalist kind of church and they loved to teach how we were made in the image of God. They probably didn’t say male, white, blond, germanics…but that’s what i heard….as a female i spent hours meditating on what it might mean for me to be God’s image. A long time ago, i found peace in the idea that we are creative like God.
To hear the use of creative energy to redeem such tragic circumstances. WOW!
This is absolutely beautiful! I’v me seen videos of one prison’s book discussion group on C-SPAN’s Book TV. Our prison system has failed us all. This gives me hope. Thank you, Nadia.
I'm not surprised! I spend 25 years with Kairos Prision Ministry forming community with the women in a NC facility, including the women on death row. I was so blessed with their ministry to me. God led me there to learn and grow, especially to learn how to love and be loved.
Dang it. I need to apply these lessons for myself to Ted Cruz, Mitch McConnell, Clarence Thomas..... It feels actually painful. I have very strong feelings about them that are not anywhere close to love.
But if God doesn’t love Mitch, then he doesn’t love me.
Rohr quotes Dorothy Day in his July 22 meditation:
"Love and ever more love is the only solution to every problem that comes up. If we love each other enough, we will bear with each other’s faults and burdens. If we love enough, we are going to light that fire in the hearts of others. And it is love that will burn out the sins and hatreds that sadden us. It is love that will make us want to do great things for each other. No sacrifice and no suffering will then seem too much."
I remember teaching parenting in prisons…being lodged between two impenetrable doors on my way in and out…men about to be released, families waiting for them…guards doin what they could to shorten the class…my insisting on being able to finish the sentence my head and heart had conceived…a women’s class, knowing that one of them had drowned her four kids…being scared and defiant (towards the guards)….sharing yoga with women close to their freedom…presenting stress management to the guards, who always had something in his car to take the edge off, who stayed though they hated the job because they had great benefits….just now realizing that God had room in his heart for all of them…
The deeper I look the more I realize that it isn't a question of who is my Brother or Sister anymore, it is living in a state of experiencing the me who is you and the you who is me.
It sounds so trite, I know, but it there is hope in it for me.
Man. I hate when you do this. Now I am sitting, uncomfortably, with my own biases and prejudices, and having to admit that I not the open-minded and fair person I like to think I am. Thank you, once again, for the push. I am a better person for reading your essay today.
I am feeling the same!!!
Lol...cause I feel the same
What really struck me was the statement, If there is not room in the heart of God for Cory, then there is not room in the heart of God for me. How quickly we judge, condemn, cast away, Father forgive me.
Also, how important it is to be reminded while in our own humanity how important the love of God is between the cracks. I’m humbled. And ashamed that I continue to gather people, unfairly, into boxes because the whole of God’s creation is round - no beginning and no end and plenty of room for every humanity.
Shewwee - this just cracked my heart wide open. It is through tears that I type, “Thank you”.
Artistic creativity - wow!
Healing power of the arts!
I grew up in fundamentalist kind of church and they loved to teach how we were made in the image of God. They probably didn’t say male, white, blond, germanics…but that’s what i heard….as a female i spent hours meditating on what it might mean for me to be God’s image. A long time ago, i found peace in the idea that we are creative like God.
To hear the use of creative energy to redeem such tragic circumstances. WOW!
I wish a film maker would document this.
It's quite possible that they will release a film!
This is absolutely beautiful! I’v me seen videos of one prison’s book discussion group on C-SPAN’s Book TV. Our prison system has failed us all. This gives me hope. Thank you, Nadia.
Nadia, I love and hate how you challenge ME with your own realizations to think outside my own judgment. Thanks
I'm not surprised! I spend 25 years with Kairos Prision Ministry forming community with the women in a NC facility, including the women on death row. I was so blessed with their ministry to me. God led me there to learn and grow, especially to learn how to love and be loved.
Dang it. I need to apply these lessons for myself to Ted Cruz, Mitch McConnell, Clarence Thomas..... It feels actually painful. I have very strong feelings about them that are not anywhere close to love.
But if God doesn’t love Mitch, then he doesn’t love me.
Blerg.
Rohr quotes Dorothy Day in his July 22 meditation:
"Love and ever more love is the only solution to every problem that comes up. If we love each other enough, we will bear with each other’s faults and burdens. If we love enough, we are going to light that fire in the hearts of others. And it is love that will burn out the sins and hatreds that sadden us. It is love that will make us want to do great things for each other. No sacrifice and no suffering will then seem too much."
..(woof)..
I remember teaching parenting in prisons…being lodged between two impenetrable doors on my way in and out…men about to be released, families waiting for them…guards doin what they could to shorten the class…my insisting on being able to finish the sentence my head and heart had conceived…a women’s class, knowing that one of them had drowned her four kids…being scared and defiant (towards the guards)….sharing yoga with women close to their freedom…presenting stress management to the guards, who always had something in his car to take the edge off, who stayed though they hated the job because they had great benefits….just now realizing that God had room in his heart for all of them…
It’s a powerfully intense experience.
Afternoon plans: Step 6 & 7
Your stark, fierce, yet beautiful words, inspire me to examine myself. And to make a donation to support this good work. Thank you.
This moves me so deeply. Thank you.
The deeper I look the more I realize that it isn't a question of who is my Brother or Sister anymore, it is living in a state of experiencing the me who is you and the you who is me.
It sounds so trite, I know, but it there is hope in it for me.
This. Is what transformational writing looks like. Thank you, Nadia, for writing this down to remind us what the heart of God looks like.
I love your ability and insight at finding the beauty in the unexpected.
Just when I think I’ve got the love and a place for everyone down-THIS! Thank you and I will keep seeking, searching, loving.