Today has begun with time to contemplate what it means to recognize 69 years has passed since the first bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. I have also awoken to the happy news from Australia that the proposed amendments to the Racial Discrimination Act in Australia have been 'taken off the table' (under the proposed changes, the words 'offend, insult and humiliate'
would have been deleted from the existing laws, and would basically have given people free rein to racially vilify others). More than 4000 submissions were received by the Australian Government on this issue, including from many church groups including the Uniting Church in Australia.
Advocacy and activism can be a complementary role to that of service for diaconal ministry agents. Seeking for the dignity of human persons, and for wholeness and healing of the world, shapes diaconal ministry in a way that may call us - in our spheres of influence - to a role of advocacy and activism. How can we remain silent in speech and in action in the face of violence, systemic greed and overwhelming poverty, oppression, the dehumanizing of individuals and groups and faith communities, and profound need in our global community?
I am grateful to my friend Ann Siddall, a wise and profound spiritual director in Adelaide, Australia, for these words posted on Facebook today, which helps focus on being both a peaceful and compassionate presence, as well as being present to the suffering and injustices near and far. Ann's words spoke deeply to me.
"Etty Hillesum, the Jewish woman who lived in Amsterdam during the Nazi occupation, and who died in one of the death camps, wrote: "I am with the hungry, with the ill-treated, and with the dying every day, but I am also with the jasmine and with the piece of sky beyond my window" As I listen to people, try to cope with the flood of media reporting on what is happening in our world, and the appeals in my letter-box, and the flood of causes and campaigns on Facebook pages, I am aware of how easily I/we can become overwhelmed, and the wisdom of Etty's words. What I am present to shapes me, and if I have any hope of being present to the suffering and injustices near and far I must also be present to what enables me to be a peaceful and compassionate presence, and to experience joy. I am concerned for us all, concerned we will become so active we will lose the capacity to discern both underlying issues, and the humility to do just a little, and concerned about the temptation to contribute to the overload of others. It is a cold day here in Adelaide, but I can see blue sky and sun shining and the promise of Spring that these daffodils represent".
Advocacy and activism can be a complementary role to that of service for diaconal ministry agents. Seeking for the dignity of human persons, and for wholeness and healing of the world, shapes diaconal ministry in a way that may call us - in our spheres of influence - to a role of advocacy and activism. How can we remain silent in speech and in action in the face of violence, systemic greed and overwhelming poverty, oppression, the dehumanizing of individuals and groups and faith communities, and profound need in our global community?
I am grateful to my friend Ann Siddall, a wise and profound spiritual director in Adelaide, Australia, for these words posted on Facebook today, which helps focus on being both a peaceful and compassionate presence, as well as being present to the suffering and injustices near and far. Ann's words spoke deeply to me.
"Etty Hillesum, the Jewish woman who lived in Amsterdam during the Nazi occupation, and who died in one of the death camps, wrote: "I am with the hungry, with the ill-treated, and with the dying every day, but I am also with the jasmine and with the piece of sky beyond my window" As I listen to people, try to cope with the flood of media reporting on what is happening in our world, and the appeals in my letter-box, and the flood of causes and campaigns on Facebook pages, I am aware of how easily I/we can become overwhelmed, and the wisdom of Etty's words. What I am present to shapes me, and if I have any hope of being present to the suffering and injustices near and far I must also be present to what enables me to be a peaceful and compassionate presence, and to experience joy. I am concerned for us all, concerned we will become so active we will lose the capacity to discern both underlying issues, and the humility to do just a little, and concerned about the temptation to contribute to the overload of others. It is a cold day here in Adelaide, but I can see blue sky and sun shining and the promise of Spring that these daffodils represent".
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| daffodils - representing the promise of spring |
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