Jan 23, 2022

  Living in Unconditional Love (46)

“Love flows from God to humans without effort:

As a bird glides through the air without moving its wings-

Thus, they go wherever they wish united in body and soul,

Yet separate in form.”

–Mechtild of Magdeburg

My wife Eileen died from esophageal cancer in February 2020 one year after being diagnosed, 60 years to the day that we met on Long Island. Then my brother Tom became ill, and I spent a total of six weeks being with him in Ohio, but he died in October 2020. My sister-in-law Sue Mahoney died from Covid-19 in January 2021. On top of it all stood the pandemic, locking everyone down almost two years, and still going strong from my viewpoint, as I wear my mask anytime I am out, unlike many.

01/23/2022                                     I am writing this on Saturday, just after my son Drew and his two little ones, Huntley (4) and Clara (2) left. They spent the afternoon here with me, and we celebrated Christmas all over again. We opened Christmas gifts, (yes, my tree is still up), played with the trucks and blocks, and just had a great time, ending up with a pizza. It was great, as both accepted me, even though Clara was uneasy anytime Drew was unable to be seen. Huntley got a pair of remote driving cars, and a great time was had by all. And of course, Huntley had his turn at sliding down the stairs and teaching Clara to do the same, even though she was not willing to truly slide; it was more like bumping, one step at a time. Lots of laughter.

The week was one of sadness at the failure to pass the voting laws that would go a long way to rectifying the official racism that is rampant in this country, and has been for four hundred years. But this result was a known result over two months ago, but the media played it up as if it was brand new news. The only reason for the vote was to put the two Democratic senators (and the Republican party) on record as being racists, for the world to see. Was I disappointed? Not really, for as I said, it was expected and voted on just to prevent those two (and the other party) from claiming otherwise. My background in working on racial justice expected this to occur; but some small steps were taken, even though the Republican party is passing laws displaying their out and out racism around the country. Once upon a time the conservative movement in this country stood for many thoughtful processes, but now it only stands for racism and helping the rich become richer. I don’t know where those whose instincts lead them away from many of the progressive programs lie, but who observe this blatant racism with horror, will do. The Republican party, as it now stands behind Trump, is clearly anti-democratic in its approach to life, desiring to have an autocratic government instead, and with themselves as controllers of course.

I am not surprised at this turn of events. Racism in our country was just accepted as a given; now that it is being more openly confronted a more confrontational response is to be expected. We have reached a point where more clear-headed thinking is in the slight majority, which means that the opposition will resort to immoral (not illegal in the legal sense, but immoral in the human sense) approaches to prevent their opponents from even voting. More is to be expected, cheered on by Fox news. Don’t forget, Trump achieved close to half the votes, clearly voicing the hatred and anti-democratic (as in the Constitution) views.

Why are their lies accepted? I believe because they are in line with the listeners bias anyway, and this just gives those who believe it justification – so-and-so said it on tv, so it must be true – even though most know, down deep in their being, that the lies are lies.

But I have trust in the workings of God, as the kingdom of God is slowly revealed, in pain and in sorrow, amongst the lowly who are spat upon and bullied by the powerful. Perhaps you say ‘spat upon’ is too strong, but I believe that this is the belief of a way too many who call themselves ‘patriots’ believe; not unexpected and true in their hearts spit on others not like themselves. (Even though, deeper in their hearts, they know they are wrong.)

I continue to study our universe in all its wonders. I am awed by the very nature of our universe, and the wonder and beauty of our universe. These studies bring me close to my God and the beauties provided to us and balance the sad evils in our society. This very small blue sphere floating around a mediocre star, one not too big so it lasts a long time but not too small that it can’t provide the proper heat, one where life is in a fashion that we have no real idea where it came from (ok, lots of ideas but none of them even close to being proved, and all ideas have some deadly flaws). Why is their only one base DNA, the thread behind all life on earth? Why is our mediocre star all by itself and not in a star cluster? (Being by itself it has had almost half of its’ life evolve without be disturbed by other stars which in turn would have disturbed our planet so it probably not have evolved so wondrously, as is common in clusters of stars where all most all other stars exist.) Wonders indeed, giving me pause and soothing my sense of urgency. God moves in Its’ time, not mine.

Meditation

Gentle One, I place myself in You. These past three years have been very difficult for me, but life flows on as our short life reveals. I am happy to be of service where I can, and I ask of You to continue to guide me forward. Encourage me to talk to those I can help build the community of love in our world and give me the wisdom to know when to shut up and listen to others.