We need a revolution in the United States. Barack Obama is giving voice to populism the likes of which is refreshing and a change from business as usual. Hilary Clinton and John McCain represent the old order. In the midst of this change is an under-current of hope that will not be extinguished. The United States of America was founded by men and women of vision and throughout our history we have women and men who have risen above the rest to invite us to look to our higher angels.
Tonight in the mail I received yet another invitation to yet more change that must come and that is throwing off the yoke of fossil fuels. For too long we have labored in bondage to the petro-chemical complex. A conference for Developing the Market and Infrastructure for Electric and Plugin Hybrid Vehicles.
Presenting the first international event to bring together the key players involved in the development of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle markets. Focusing on the commercial drivers, this event will examine strategies to make the technology affordable to the consumer and manufacturer, and making it economically feasible through infrastructure, public policy and incentivization.
Today was the Feast of Pentecost. At Mass today Fr. Lou’s homily was about the Holy Spirit and about how much of theology is spent on Jesus and God the Father, but almost nothing on the Holy Spirit. He drew our attention to a print near the rear of the chapel today that is a depiction of the Ruach. The depiction is of a feminine spirit breathing life into the earth from the cosmos. Today was also Mothers Day and as I looked at this depiction I thought of the parallels between the Ruach and mothers. We come to life in our mothers and it is through the love, action and attention of our mothers that our early lives are animated. We cannot see the Ruach but it is the breath of God that gives us life and gives our lives direction and purpose. Mystics whether men or women are always in touch with the sacred feminine which is very much within the holy spirit. Those who deny this feminine are really out of touch with the Holy Spirit.
This little boy did a very dangerous thing. He stole a car. But, he is one of the most adorable children I’ve ever seen. I love to hear his seven year old logic when confronted by the authorities.
I love Carlos Santana. In addition to Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison and George Benson he is one of my favorites. His music has an ethereal quality quite unlike anyone else I’ve ever heard. I hope you enjoy this Youtube video that I came across on the site of one of my visitors. My recent trip to Albany, Georgia is still fresh in my mind and it was while stationed there that I became a fan of Santana’s.
On April 21, 2008, Senator Hilary Clinton while appearing on Keith Olberman’s program said that if Iran were to attack Israel with nuclear weapons the United States would retaliate massively with nuclear weapons. This sort of outrageous thinking is what led to World War I. Senator Clinton’s appalling lack of perspective leaves her unfit to govern. Great leadership demands great compassion. Complex problems require great thought and complex solutions.
My mother who lived through World War II will never condemn the United States use of nuclear weapons against the Japanese. Not having lived through that period I can afford to be idealistic, but an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind. Senator Clinton is one of the blindest of the blind.
Lately I’ve been discouraged a great deal. Gasoline prices are rising nearly everyday and we seem powerless to stop it. As a person who needs to travel or provide transport for others this means more than temporary discomfort. Add to that the march of some in our government toward war with Iran and no real progress in Iraq. Congress was getting ready to send more funds down the drain today with most of that going to fund the illegal war and occupation of Iraq. A verse from the New Testament just kind of jumped right into my lap.
My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.–2 Corinthians 12:9
I’m always looking for the upper hand. I want power. It’s my ego acting up again. It’s upside down logic, but that’s prevalent in much of scripture. St. Francis was said to look at the world “upside down.” The essence of prayer and spirituality is paradox. Strength from weakness.
I noticed that when driving on the New York State Thruway that driver’s were actually obeying the speed limit. Even the big trucks were slowed down. I normally get passed a lot and this time it didn’t happen much. Despite what the pundits and our nincompoop President have said Americans can’t take much more and are changing their driving habits. An article in the New York Times highlights these changes.
Stung by rising gasoline and food prices, Americans are finding creative ways to cut costs on routine items like groceries and clothing, forcing retailers, restaurants and manufacturers to decode the tastes of a suddenly thrifty public.
As I traveled this weekend I listened again to Wayne Dyer’s, “Change Your Thoughts, Change Your LIfe.” The chapter of the Tao Te Ching which Dr. Dyer spoke of that really caught my attention was the 30th.
Of all things, soldiers are instruments of evil, Hated by men.
Therefore the religious man (possessed of Tao) avoids them.
The gentleman favors the left in civilian life,
But on military occasions favors the right.
Soldiers are weapons of evil.
They are not the weapons of the gentleman.
When the use of soldiers cannot be helped,
The best policy is calm restraint.
Even in victory, there is no beauty,
And who calls it beautiful
Is one who delights in slaughter.
He who delights in slaughter
Will not succeed in his ambition to rule the world.
Contrast this ancient wisdom with our war on terror. This weekend at our Franciscan meeting I spoke with a friend I made last year and we spoke of the culture of death that pervades our country and how in ancient times knights returning from the crusades were required to spend time on retreat to atone for the sin of killing other men. Maybe post-traumatic stress is a natural reaction to this ungodly act. There is no way that killing a brother can be made right. We are all created by the same force, by the same creator and no one has the right much less the duty to kill another. It is unnatural and unholy.
I’m home again after two days at Stella Maris Retreat in Skaneateles, New York. It was the annual meeting of the Kateri Tekakwitha Region Secular Franciscan Order. I’m humbled to be a member, much less a minister of our local St. Irenaeus Fraternity. The Secular Franciscan Order, originally known as the Brothers and Sisters of Penance follow a rule of life much like that followed by Franciscan friars and nuns everywhere in the world except they follow it as very ordinary folks. Some are retired, some are not. Some are married, others are not. Some of our members are social workers, nurses, while others are teachers and some are even computer geeks. Our members come from all walks of life and all around the world. We’ve got one thing in common and that is a desire to follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the same way that our seraphic father St. Francis of Assisi did.
I’m humbled to be in the presence of such holy people. I feel like I am the least of the brothers.
Secular Franciscans, together with all people of good will, are called to build a more fraternal and evangelical world so that the kingdom of God may be brought about more effectively. Mindful that anyone “who follows Christ, the perfect man, becomes more of a man himself,” let them exercise their responsibilities competently in the Christian spirit of service.
Tonight I filled up my gas tank. My little car need 12 gallons of gasoline and the total bill came to $44 and some change. Eight years ago when Bill Clinton was president it cost $20 for the same amount of fuel. Most of the members of Congress and our executive branch don’t give a damn about what we’re paying for fuel. Truckers who haul most of our food and other items to market are paying between four and five dollars a gallon for diesel fuel. I finally saw some Democrat from Oregon do a little tongue lashing on the floor of the Congress today. I wish our anemic representative would do the same, but I doubt he will as he’s a Republican water carrier for the current nincompoops in the White House.
