Tuesday, 9 July 2002

The lead piece is from "Amazing Grace by Kathleen Norris. In this book she takes many of the words and images of the faith and attempts to put some reality and life to them.



OPPRESSION (part 1 of 3)

In all too many appalling situations, the religion has even become an accomplice to genocide. But oppression is a slippery thing, and labeling a tricky business: the twentieth century has given us plenty of evidence to suggest that the quicker we are to accuses others of oppression, the more we risk becoming oppressors ourselves. The past hundred years have forced us to look straight into the murderous heart of oppression, alerting us to it presence in our most cherished ideals. Over and over, we have seen patriotism turn into fascism, liberation movements solidify into totalitarian regimes, struggles for religious freedom translate into intolerance of the faith of others.

Pointing a finger at another person leaves us pointing the rest of our fingers at ourselves. In the face of powers that oppress we must never give up the ability to speak and question and listen. It is in the middle of the ongoing dialogues of our lives that the forces that become oppressive are confronted...even if the emerging oppressive force is me. There are no greater gifts to bring to the tables of our lives than to be able to be self-reflective and to also be able to confront those around us. To enter a dialogue with such gifts is the fertile ground for change and compromise and transformation. The power to oppress becomes less when such gifts are continuously shared among us.



Connection: What looks like the best way...may indeed be just that. But beware of how things can change as we move down the roads of our lives....for we all change and look at things differently depending on where we are on the road. What may seem helpful can become oppressive...and...vice versa.



Lord of all the days of our lives, we praise you for you give us a vision of your reign of peace and healing, justice and mercy. We are a blessed people who are send out as your children to be a part of the unfolding vision of your rule among us. Blessed are you, O God. Amen