Good morning Erie, I appreciate that you challenge, as well as inspire us with your difficult but necessary self-reflective question of “who among us…” We love imperfectly and it helps to acknowledge and recognize this in the safe space of non-judgement. It is only with this awareness and a stepping out of my emotions that I can begin to look and just notice. I think it is a process (lifelong) not an event. Yet, there are those defining moments that we can respond with love rather than react from habit if we are continually strengthening our spiritual muscles through regular practice.
In relating to my work environment a recent challenge that I encountered is with e-mail to multiple persons. Things can easily escalate, as we try to defend or save face from competitive one up man ship, or at least that is my initial reaction as I feel my face flush. Most recently, I have fond it best to not respond to the group but just to the person or better yet to speak to them. That brings it back to a person to person understanding with a more loving response. For me personally, these shifts happen in degrees and a willingness to uncover and notice our vulnerabilities with compassion. Perhaps that is the radical part that then gives us the courage to stand up for what is right and true. Thank you for the faith and the love you see in us.
Who among us can cast the first stone…

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“Beneath this mask there is more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea, Mr Creedy, and ideas are bullet-proof.”
“God is in the rain.”
“Artists use lies to tell the truth, while politicians use them to cover the truth up.”
“There are no coincidences, Delia. Only the illusion of coincidence.”
All these are quotes are from the movie ‘V for Vendetta’ (one of my all time favorite movies). As a film, all the crafts where at the peak of perfection. As a message it haunts our future from the past and our present. About one person that fights against tyranny to reveal the truth, but gets blinded by his hatred. Love enters the story and breaks done the barriers. Love allows Truth to guide the way instead of the vengeance of hate and fear. It really is a love story, between people and peoples.
You ask about the ones that were different, that would not become one of them. We have seen many religious leaders and saints that have led the way. Unfortunately the followers let their egos get in the way of what was taught by example. We have proponents of non-violence like Ghandi gunned down by fear. A young woman named Malala left for dead because she wants to be educated. Pope Francis turning a church bureaucracy around 180 degrees back to the poor, criticized because he wants the world to have a better environment for all God’s children.
It is said in advertising that sex sells. Well in politics and news, it plays second fiddle to fear and hate. If one person does something bad then all that look like that person are bad. THEY are not one of us. We are the special ones and THEY get in the way of the spoils. Fear is the teaser for hate. Film at 11:00.
When I was much younger and in grade school, I remember that my teachers did not like that I was a bit more ahead of the others in the class. Instead of challenging me to do more and excel I was asked to slow down and wait for the others to catch up. It made me ill. I left a job I had for many years after the company finally got successful again. In the beginning we were all hired because we were different. After the success we all had to be the same. Again it made me sick.
So what do our children get to look forward to? Another standardized test to be taught to. No music, no art and now no physical education. Our politicians seem to want more money so they can deny help for the helpless. No money is spent on dreams of exploring the planets and galaxy because politicians just dream of being re-elected.
You ask if one can make a stand. To live love and not fear. That is why I and may thousands of others are going to the Parliaments of Religions in Salt Lake City, Utah. We believe in a future of love, Sacred Love, for all the world’s religions and faiths.
“I hope that the world turns and things get better. But I hope most of all that you understand that even though I will never meet you, laugh with you, cry with you, or kiss you, I love you. With all my heart, I love you.”

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