For Sunday June 19th, 2016

Hello everyone, tragedies are often stern teachers. The recent events in Florida come under this heading. Following a tragedy there is typically an outpouring of compassion; a cleansing of the separations and divisions which we so easily fall prey to. This can be seen in the one-mile-long waiting line outside of a blood donation center. People stood in that line, in the Florida heat, for up to 6 hours while others began an impromptu support mission of bringing them food, water, and umbrellas for shade. 

This is a truth of the human condition; while only one lost soul caused the tragedy, hundreds if not thousands interrupted their daily lives to step up, come together, and contribute something from their own innate compassion.

And, in a sad demonstration of another side of the human condition, our leading politicians used it as an opportunity to separate themselves from each other, attack their opponents, and promote their own agendas.

"God enters our lives through the wounds in our hearts." 

May we sit this Sunday that we may respond spiritually to the tiniest of wounds; that we may not purposely cause wounds; that we may all come together.  

Thank you,

Richard