Hello –
Yesterday, young conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was assassinated while leading a debate at a college in Utah. His death comes after a series of politically motivated killings or attempted killings in America. If you find this trend disturbing, as I do, I offer two prayers and a reflection on our life at St. Paul’s.
• O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
(BCP p. 816)
• Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and forever. Amen
(BCP p. 815)
• We are a “purple church” where each member of St. Paul’s is equally called to transcend contempt. This does not come easily to any of us, regardless of where we are on the political spectrum.
Further, we are all Americans which means we are all inheritors of a culture where violence in the name of political righteousness has been with us from the beginning. It waxes and wanes, and right now it is waxing, but it is part of our DNA as Americans and therefore part of the spiritual struggle for each of us.
I am not kidding when I lead my Practice Groups on Transcending Contempt. The struggle against contemptuous thoughts is real and is in the heart of each of us. Further, thoughts lead to words, and words lead to action. In this digital age, which amplifies and accelerates everything, we each need to be extra vigilant, beginning with our thoughts.
Join me on Saturday mornings and do your small part in making St. Paul’s a place where we, together, are “enabled to stand reconciled before God.” Help make St. Paul’s a place to “gather under the banner of the Prince of Peace.”
Blessings,
Christopher
p: (415) 456-4842