“O God who sets the planets in their paths,
who notes each sparrow’s fall, each busy bee,
May we be worthy of your faith in us.
May we act with equity, compassion and intention,
so you don’t have to, all the time.
And occasionally, just occasionally,
may we surprise and delight you.” -Thomas Rhodes, from “Prayer for a Busy God”
How can you be a source of equity, compassion, and intention today?
Every major move toward equity in a society built on inequities sparks a backlash. Those with power and privilege reject the notion that power can be equitably shared. Those seeking to maintain gains toward equity must be vigilant in guarding against losing ground.
How have you experienced the backlash to societal moves towards greater equity?
“Don’t speak to me of ‘equity’
or ‘opportunity’ or the ‘common good’
until you are able to hear the fear
from my grandmother Mae
as the only black woman in her college.” -Adam Lawrence Dyer, from his poem “Healing”
How is your work for equity accountable to the hurt of the past?
“Call us back to our promises, commitments, and values.
Help us love ourselves and each other,
And to show that love in our actions.
Make us instruments of justice, equity, and compassion.” -Elizabeth Bukey Saunter, from a prayer entitled “A World of Beauty and Love is Coming”
How have you been called back to your promises, commitments, and values?
“Most of us need to celebrate life, to feel our inherent worth, to be restored our dignity, to practice justice, equity and compassion in human relationships. Most of us yearn to say, ‘Hello, I am Somebody…’ and to be greeted ‘Hello, Somebody, welcome! We’re glad you’re here!’ Most of us hunger for affirmation and celebration in who we are and in the gifts and blessings we bring this world…. Each of us has at least one blessing—I believe each of us offers MANY blessings—to this world in who we are. But sometimes we and our world, even our beloved community, might have a difficult time affirming and seeing those blessings.” -Naomi King, from the reading “Hello, My Name Is…”
What is a blessing you share with the world today?
