Another senseless shooting, another mass killing, more cutting hateful conversations, deepening divisions between friends and among family members. There must be a way to stop it. “They” should do something. Members of a newspaper Editorial Board recently framed it another way. The writers spoke not of “they,” but of “we:” Can this be a moment to pause and rediscover our better selves? To hear our inner voices? What do we want to be? … The responsibility is ours (July 13, 2024, Washington Post).
What we are talking about is an issue that should matter to all of us — no matter our political, ideological, social or denominational identities — to all spiritual persons who see in each human life a sacred image of God.
At church, we prayed for God’s healing of our divisions; and then in the homily we were challenged: If we want God to act in our world, we individually must be willing to be the hands and feet and voice of that action. If we want light to come, each of us must bring it. If we want divisions healed, we must do the work. We cannot look to other people or authority figures to do the work for us. We — you and I — must do it.
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Toward the end of the homily, the rector asked us to reflect on the personal meaning for each of us of the Prayer of St. Francis. I’m working on it.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: Me. Not “them.” Do I speak words of peace into the middle of contentious conversations?
Where there is hatred, let me sow love: My heart is not always fuzzy, warm and loving, especially toward “those people.” Do I want to love them? Can I refuse?
Where there is injury, pardon: Is there anyone to whom I need to say, “I’m sorry”? Is today the day to do it?
Where there is doubt, faith: Do I believe there is a way out of this seemingly omnipresent violence of thought, speech and action?
Where there is despair, hope: Do I turn to God in prayer to ask what is my role? Am I willing to accept the marching orders I hear in my heart?
Where there is darkness, light: Do I search out and examine the truth of information? Or do I take the lazy way, and let social media and friends dictate to me what to believe?
Where there is sadness, joy: Do I pay attention? Do I notice?
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life: This is a toughie.
What might I need to die to? Needing to think that I am right, and you are wrong? Needing to feel superior? Unkind words (Remember what mom said? What does my speech reflect of my heart? What does it model for my children, grandchildren, and friends)? Looking after “me first” while neglecting those in need in my community and in the world? Saying I am all for peace while carrying on inner wars with family and friends?
The violence goes on. Each time something happens, we hear, “This is a wake-up call.” How do we, as faithful spiritual leaders and believers, want to wake up? Are we willing to do the work? Today?
Tucson faith leaders, we would like to include your original sermon or scriptures of encouragement. Sermons must be written by the person submitting them, not borrowed from another source or writer. If you are a faith leader from any religion or denomination, please contact Sara Brown at sbbrown@tucson.com.
Carolyn Ancell
