A Piece of Quiet

This time of year, which should be about people loving and caring for each other, has become a frenzy of hedonistic consumerism and it just makes me weary. And I am very convinced that were Jesus to return (and just for the record - I don't think he will) he would be astonished, and likely angry, at what the celebration of his birth has become.

I preached in the Los Gatos church last Sunday on the topic of knowing that we are enough just as we are, despite all of the messages we get to the contrary. I decided to post an excerpt from that sermon here:

I find my spiritual and emotional “piece of quiet” when I am able to access that place deep in my heart that knows that I am not powerless in the face of all that is wrong in this crazy world. It tells me that I can live a life imbued with purpose right here in this spot where I have been placed, whether by cosmic accident or divine inspiration. I may not be able to fix everything in the world, but, I can fix some things, and strive to live my life in a way that make this earth a kinder, more caring and better place ... and so can you.

And however you do that will be the right way, as Mary Anne Radmacher said: "Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying,”I will try again tomorrow""

We are all limited creatures -- with limitless possibilities. So the best we can do is settle with intention and purpose into this singular, amazing and unique life that we have .. right here ... right now ... in this place we now find ourselves, a world full of tears and pain but also a world full of miracles and joy ... and trust that it is enough ... always enough ... to simply keep trying to be the very best people that we can be

And just as we are, we are enough

Blessed Be and Amen,
Suzanne

Let my people go........and while you're at it, let all the people go!!

So much for posting here every few days!! I am in crazy mode at the present time. I have been asked to fill a pulpit this Sunday for a Minister who was taken ill. I have a service at the end of this month at my home church, a presentation at the Napa church the Sunday before Christmas and a service to prepare for my home church on the programs at my Internship site, the UULM, to be co-presented with my mentor/supervisor. Plus... I have a training to do for clergy and seminarians on healthcare at the end of January. And the governor is not budging on THAT subject, don't get me started...... Finally I have to arrange several “UU Voices for Healthcare” trainings at UU churches around the Bay. Hence I have not posted much!!

Anyway – I was planning the end of December service with Luther, a man from my church who I admire, and he commented that I seem to be profoundly am influenced by the writings of Dr. King. The more I read of his writings, the more I believe that he was, at the time of his death, moving from his position as a champion for civil rights for blacks, to a believer that which afflicted black people, afflicted all people who were poor, albeit minus the additional oppression that comes with their skin color. He would have been a powerful voice for economic justice for all people had he lived. I am sad to consider the situation we are in today and to imagine what he might have accomplished had his life not been cut short.

That’s all I can write now, except to say that I came across a quote a few months ago that I would like to share:

Who we listen to determines what we hear.
Where we stand determines what we see.
What we do determines who we are."
-Robert McAfee Brown

Peace & Blessings for the journey,
Suzanne