A great sermon,Tom. I remember when Jerry had Covid and had to suddenly leave for home. And as for the theme — “Saved by grace through faith,” let me define faith as the deep inner trust that the “better angels of our natures,” to borrow Abe Lincoln’s phrase, will direct us on the journey of life to a happy and fulfilling destiny if we really want it and ask for that to be so, one that is “true," “honorable," and “pure,” the antithesis of the MAGA message conveyed by Musk and Trump.
As Tom Paine famously said way back in 1776, “These are the times that try men’s souls,” and here we are again. Yet crazy as things are, I have faith that the trauma induced by the psychopathological policies of Donald and his enablers is just a another rich example of the good Lord's literary impulse to compose stories for his flock in order to teach spiritual lessons.
In this case, things are especially traumatic and very corrupt. But not to worry: As the great sage Sri Ramakrishna replied to a supplicant’s question, “Sire, why is there evil in the universe?”
Thanks for your comment, Stew. So glad you defined faith in a way that folks can relate to who don't consider themselves religious. I've been trying to do that for a long time, and you put it well.
Tom, I was surprised to find me among your writings. Your sermon from 10/23 raised a serious question. What next? We live in fascinating times with major disruption all around.
Your ongoing work with the Perace Makers and veterans serves as a model for community and local cooperation. Climate crises are already showing we must find ways to support each other for the resilience of all.
I wish I shared your faith in God. I do share your belief in human connection as an essential antidote to today's terrors.
Thanks for your comment. I plan to write later about a spiritual experience I had that resembles closely what some non-believers have also had. Stay tuned.
A great sermon,Tom. I remember when Jerry had Covid and had to suddenly leave for home. And as for the theme — “Saved by grace through faith,” let me define faith as the deep inner trust that the “better angels of our natures,” to borrow Abe Lincoln’s phrase, will direct us on the journey of life to a happy and fulfilling destiny if we really want it and ask for that to be so, one that is “true," “honorable," and “pure,” the antithesis of the MAGA message conveyed by Musk and Trump.
As Tom Paine famously said way back in 1776, “These are the times that try men’s souls,” and here we are again. Yet crazy as things are, I have faith that the trauma induced by the psychopathological policies of Donald and his enablers is just a another rich example of the good Lord's literary impulse to compose stories for his flock in order to teach spiritual lessons.
In this case, things are especially traumatic and very corrupt. But not to worry: As the great sage Sri Ramakrishna replied to a supplicant’s question, “Sire, why is there evil in the universe?”
“To thicken the plot.”
Thanks for your comment, Stew. So glad you defined faith in a way that folks can relate to who don't consider themselves religious. I've been trying to do that for a long time, and you put it well.
Tom, I was surprised to find me among your writings. Your sermon from 10/23 raised a serious question. What next? We live in fascinating times with major disruption all around.
Your ongoing work with the Perace Makers and veterans serves as a model for community and local cooperation. Climate crises are already showing we must find ways to support each other for the resilience of all.
I wish I shared your faith in God. I do share your belief in human connection as an essential antidote to today's terrors.
Dear Jerry,
Thanks for your comment. I plan to write later about a spiritual experience I had that resembles closely what some non-believers have also had. Stay tuned.
Yes, this sermon is deeply relevant.........maybe more so now than when you wrote two years ago.