Living in Harmony Means Working for Justice and Equality by Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP

Unsplash: Clay Banks

See how good, how pleasant it is

for God's people to live together as one!

Psalm 133:1 (IP)

"We all live under the cloud of potential shaming and potential violence as long as we live in a society that enforces hierarchies of human value where violence is often perpetuated by institutions of power, writes Valerie Kaur,  "Individual acts of love are not enough. We need to be part of movements that help us wonder, grieve and fight together." (See No Stranger, p. 29.)

One example, close to my heart is the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests/ARCWP.  This international community is part of a worldwide movement that ordains women for public ministry in the Roman Catholic Church, violating a man made rule that discriminates against women. ARCWP makes the connections between patriarchal oppression of women in the Church and poverty, violence and abuse of women and against all marginalized peoples.  Injustice anywhere, as Martin Luther King, taught, is a violation of justice everywhere because everyone is equal and everyone is a beloved image of the Divine. If we want harmony, we must join together and work for justice and equality. 

In today's computer age, with instant communications and information through the Internet, the world seems to be getting

smaller. Sitting comfortably in our living rooms, we can see news happening in far-off corners of the globe twenty-four hours a day. Today's technology allows people from different cultures and nations to work together on projects for the advancement of humankind.  At the dawn of the twenty-first century, we have become a "global village." Yet wars and violence continue  to be part of our daily reality. Despite the technology that brings us closer together, we still have a hard time getting along. Our con­flicts continue to bring great pain and sadness into our world.

One of my dreams has been to bring together people from different faiths to consider urgent social, moral and spiritual issues and to discern common ground. Pursuing that dream, I have participated in various ecumenical days of prayer, retreats and social justice projects.  Mary, Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community, my faith community meets in a UCC Church , where we celebrate ecumenical liturgies and collaborate on local social justice issues. 

In 1998, a friend of mine suggested that I start a television program called "Godtalk." I thought it was a great idea, so I called the local stations to see if anything like that was possible. I was told that I could take courses to become certified as a pro­ducer on community television.

After several months of intensive work in video production and studio set-up, I completed the requirements and launched "Godtalk," a program designed to build bridges of understanding among people of diverse religious backgrounds and spiritual perspectives. Topics cover a wide array of subjects, such as the equality of women and human sexuality. I interview guests from different religious backgrounds and ask them to share their insights and explore theological differences in nonjudgmental ways. Those participating in our "on-the-air" discussions often express a deep respect of the holy in other people's spiritual traditions and ethical standards.

The more we dialogue with other people, the more we understand them. Wherever we are, we have the ability to respect others and live in harmony with them. This may be as simple as smiling at a stranger, praying with others, or lending a helping hand for those stricken by tragedy. Often it means letting go of our preconceived ideas about people who are from different nations, religions or cultures and being willing to listen and share openly our beliefs and values. It may mean seeing God's truth in other people's beliefs and being willing to dwell together as the family of God in peace, love and justice.

Each of us can do our singular part to make our world a more

loving place. Although we know that we will fail and that others, too, will fall short of this lofty goal, it is not an impossible dream. We can keep on trying to live the golden rule that calls us to love God and neighbor-even that neighbor on the other side of the globe. As we reach out to our global family, we can be assured that God dwells among us and continues to draw us nearer to one another, even in the midst of our conflicts and misunderstandings. Each time we strive to love our neighbors and do good to them, this God-dream of world harmony becomes more of a reality for all of us. When we join together to work for justice and equality, we can change laws and institutions. We will know, not only in our heads but also in our hearts, that it is, indeed, good and pleasant for God's people to live together in unity.

DAY  1

Dream of a world without discrimination  where we live in unity. Imagine the world as a sacred community where all dwell in harmony, justice and peace. Become aware of God present in other nations, ethnic groups, religions, political camps, and those different from you in any way. Join a group working for this vision and invest your time, treasure and talent to promote harmony and unity in diversity. 

DAY 2

Make this your prayer today:

Thank you, God, for my (name your ethnic background) heri­

tage.

Thank you, God, for my experiences of living in peace with (name individuals or groups).

Thank you, God, for the opportunity to travel and experience different nations, cultures, values.

Thank you, God, for the opportunity to work with (name  indi­

viduals, groups or organizations).

Thank you, God, for these challenges (name those areas in which you need to be more open and receptive).

DAY 3

Contemplate God beyond all religions and creeds. Contemplate God present in all religions and creeds. Contemplate God present in a group, community, sect or nation that you would like to understand better.

What is God telling you to do?

DAY 4

Conduct a dialogue with God about how you can build bridges of understanding with people in your local area who are in need of respect and support. Does God have a special plan that you can implement?

DAY S

Draw, paint, write, sing or dance your dream of  the beloved community where love and harmony are growing and evolving in our world.  Make this your prayer today.

DAY 6

Reflect on the following insights:

Our neighborhoods are holy. Our towns are holy.

Our cities are holy. Our world is holy.

Experience the Holy One in these places today. Everywhere you go, every person you meet, be aware that you are encountering the

God-Presence, especially in those who are hurting, lonely or abandoned. Act respectfully and kindly toward everyone you meet. Affirm that it is, indeed, good and pleasant for God's people to dwell together in unity.

DAY 7

Make this your prayer today:

God of Unity, may I say 'yes" to you each time you call me:

to open the door of my heart to friends, neighbors and strangers,

to listen to other people's stories,

to respect other people's ideas and values,

to ask others for forgiveness for my failures,

to extend forgiveness to those who have hurt me, to share my gifts with those in need,

to embrace everyone as family.

BMM

(Adapted from A Promise of Presence by Bridget Mary Meehan and Regina Madonna Oliver)

Kindom Eyes- In Times of Transition, Conservatives and Progressives Called to Hold Hands Across the Chasm by Regina Madonna Oliver from A Promise of Presence by Bridget Mary Meehan and Regina Madonna Oliver

  I heard God say, "and at this point in history, my prophets need to do two things. Some of them must cling to the last mountain  top while others grasp the next mountain top. But if my people are to pass unscarred from the past to the future, the prophets must hold hands across the chasm! And that is where you fail!"

The Beloved lives in our hearts;

Love dwells within us forever.

You who awaken to the Voice of Universal Oneness

will know the blessed joy of serving in the great work of Love.

Psalm 29:(Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill)

Most of us feel confident about the way we "see" things. 

Unsplash: Sammie Vasquez

The Beloved lives in our hearts;

Love dwells within us forever.

You who awaken to the Voice of Universal Oneness

will know the blessed joy of serving in the great work of Love.

Psalm 29:(Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill)

Most of us feel confident about the way we "see" things. 

We are convinced that we have a clear vision  of things  and,  if people will just pay attention, we could show them how the 

circum­stances are totally off-kilter. We could even offer them some valuable advice. So sure that we have the answers, we fret because no one wants or heeds our advice or because we're powerless to

alter the situation.

Well, we probably do see clearly-but we see only one piece of a panoramic picture, of which God sees the whole. Just maybe the bigger view would let us see how seemingly contradictory approaches both have validity.

I didn't understand this until I went through an inner struggle

trying to fathom two contradictory modes of leadership that were affecting the future of thousands of sisters in religious congrega­tions. Mother M. Claudia, I.H.M., was a primary advocate of the conservative position and was determinedly leading her congrega­tion to hold on to the tried-and-true  ways of the past. Mother Claudia was also a dear and personal friend of mine. I had lived and taught with her and knew her intimately as a woman of intense prayer. It was Mother Claudia who had helped me get ready to enter the convent. Before anyone in the church was saying much about the Holy Spirit, Claudia was sharing the power of the Spirit in her prayer life. Those of us who knew her well had looked on her as our hope for the future. Now, however, as mother general and the primary guiding force in the congregation, she was ultra-conservative.

"I must steer a steady keel," she told me one day. "I don't say that others who disagree with me are wrong. I just know that I must hold this ship steady."

Yet I had seen the tremendous need for reform. The suffering of fellow sisters who endured  psychological damage and narrow lives because of a lack of regard for individual needs and the heavy emphasis on the "communal good" was a reality. This was aug­mented by entrenched customs that enshrined unhealthy leader­ ship on the local level, where day-to-day life in the convent was most affected. As a result, people were being hurt and scarred. I knew change had to take place; I also knew it was possible. I had seen other congregations, whose leaders were also women of prayer, courageously call for immediate and essential reform.

While some of my friends wrote off Mother Claudia as

"power-happy" and "unenlightened,"  I knew this was not true. Yet here she was, holding fast to the institution-as-it-is. On the other hand, there were those sincere women who were leading their communities into much-needed renewal. How could two opposing approaches to the future be inspired  by the Holy Spirit? And both claimed to be. That was my quandary.

I went to God in my perplexity and pain. "God," I implored, "how can your Holy Spirit be guiding these two opposing  views? And if these leaders are really listening to you in sincerity, how can they be hearing opposite things? I just don't understand!" This prayer was frequent, because the unresolved question was a nagging ache.

One day, unexpectedly, God answered. "In this time of transition, when old models are fading and new archetypes are in the process of forming," God asked, "is it easier for me to help one individual to make a gentle transition in life or to help an entire people move from the present to the future without trauma?" It was clear that God was concerned with "gentling" people through a transition.

"Well, God," I answered, "I think it's easier for you to help one person, because you dwell so intimately with and within us."

"That is right," I heard God say, "and at this point in history, my prophets need to do two things. Some of them must cling to the last mountain  top while others grasp the next mountain top. But if my people are to pass unscarred from the past to the future, the prophets must hold hands across the chasm! And that is where you fail!"

Now bear in mind that this was not a vision; rather it was a dialogue with my God using the inner ear of prayer. Nonetheless, I had the sense of being lifted up above the present situation, of being able to see the panoramic  view through God's eyes. I could see that both the conservative perspective and the progressive perspective made sense.

DAY  1

Be with God as you and God review together some of your most adamant opinions. Bring to mind one of your firmly entrenched convictions, where you are at variance with someone else, and ask God if there is a more panoramic view that shows there is, indeed, room for both. Talk with God about the difference between stub­ bornness and true righteousness.

DAY2

As your prayer today, tell God that you want to listen as truth resonates within you. Tell God that you really want more than a limited, myopic view of things. Ask God for the ability to see more graciously, as God sees.

DAY 3

Sit with God quietly today and tell God that you wish to give up any selfishness or pride that may be affecting you. Admit to yourself

and to God how difficult it is to yield your views to the views of another. Think about how almost sacred you consider your views to be. Ask God to help you see the difference between personal pride and true conviction, between what is essential and what is

peripheral. Trust the Spirit to give you a way to see with God's eyes.

DAY4

In your prayer today, ask God for the ability to see yourself more objectively and with detachment. Ask God to help you deal gently with yourself, knowing that God is in the process ofloving you into perfection.

DAYS

Listen for God's voice in your prayer today, knowing that the voice of God comes to you in many ways. Ask God to speak to you. Tell God that you want to be open, that you want to hear, that you will respect divine inspiration and not discredit it as mere coincidence.

DAY6

Renew your own baptism today. Recall that in the Rite of Baptism oflnfants the priest signs the ears of the child with a cross and says the prayer, "Ephphatha! May your ears be opened to hear the word of God." Claim from God today the "Ephphatha  grace"-the baptismal gift of ears that are opened to hear God. Make this your prayer today:

Let me respond to you, dear God, with the spontaneity of the little child who instinctively  recognizes love and runs to it.

DAY7

Think about some of your most cherished opinions. Set them before God in prayer and imagine how those cherished opinions might look different if you could see them with God's eyes. Ask God for that vision, the vision that is at the core of peaceful living.

RMO