A blog about art, literature, music, politics, culture, interfaith dialogue and relations, and any other subject under the sun the blogger regards as blog-worthy.
Jesus our light: There is so much darkness in the world, and even in our own hearts and lives. Political, economic, social, mental, physical and spiritual darknesses have way too much power and influence in the world. How we long for your coming in the church, the world and within each one of us to fill us with your light which is eternal and has the power to transform all things, all situations, all people. All praise and thanks to you Jesus, light of the world; may your light fill us and the whole universe with joy, hope, peace, and love, as we celebrate your birth today. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.
"When piety becomes fanaticism, then faith becomes arrogance, and goodness inevitably becomes cruelty."
"Modern technology, for instance, cannot free us to serve what we count the good. In a strange way modern civilization far from solving our difficulties, seems rather to eternalize them. We are better cared for, but we have more cares."
-Both quotes are from: "Burdened With Erudition and Paralyzed With Indecision--A sermon on Paralytics," preached by the Rev. Dr. William Sloane Coffin, Jr., on March 2, 1967, at the Duke Divinity School Chapel.
“Love your enemies?! You must be crazy," said the corrupt President.
The tortured, imprisoned woman replied, “I do love you, even though you are a billionaire by stealing countless properties of the poor; taxing the working poor to death and abolishing all taxes for the rich; and extending the death sentence to all religious organizations, environmentalists, and non-violent human rights advocates.”
Canadian iconic folk singer-songwriter, Gordon Lightfoot is dead at the age of 84. Among his mentors were Ian and Sylvia, and Bob Dylan. Dylan, commenting on Lightfoot’s music, said that he’s never heard a Lightfoot song that he didn’t like. That certainly is a compliment, coming from another iconic folk singer-songwriter.
Lightfoot was the winner of numerous awards, given honorary degrees, and honoured as a member of the Order of Canada. His songs were poetic, someone described Gordon as Canada’s poet laureate. In addition to his studio albums, he did a lot of concerts across Canada and globally. I was privileged to attend one of Gordon’s concerts when I was living in Calgary, back in the early 1970s. The concert made me even more appreciative of his excellent musicianship on the 12-string guitar.
Even though there were several struggles and difficulties in Lightfoot’s life—including 3 marriages, alcoholism until the 1980s, and other life-threatening illnesses—his strong will to live and determination, and the grace of God, enabled him to recover and continue with his life as a musician.
Some of his best songs focussed on Canadian culture and history. My favourite Lightfoot song is the Canadian Railroad Trilogy, an ode to Canadians who built our railroad. The railroad, at one time, was a major employer of immigrant Canadians who came from around the globe.
May the memory of Gordon Lightfoot be a blessing to those who knew, loved, and listened to his music.
Enjoy the following video of Lightfoot singing live the Canadian Railroad Trilogy.
As we begin the season of Lent today, and the sign of the cross is made on our foreheads, may it be much more than a vainglorious, external ritual. Rather, may the ash cross on our foreheads be a reminder to each one of us of the all-encompassing sacrifice that you made for us Jesus, through your suffering and death on the cross. In true humility, and by your grace, may we repent of our sins, and, in response to your forgiving love, grant us the will and commitment to serve all who are poor and oppressed, widows, widowers, orphans, our Indigenous neighbours, refugees, the homeless, those suffering from abuse and addictions of all kinds, those whom the affluent and powerful sideline, forget and exploit. Help us Jesus, our cross-bearing Messiah to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow you. In your precious name, we pray.
Today, January sixteenth, the people of the United States of America celebrate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Here are a few quotations attributed to him, worth consideration to inspire, instruct, and motivate readers who seek to live justly and peacefully.
“Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.” —“The Purpose of Education” from Morehouse College student newspaper, The Maroon Tiger, 1947
“Science investigates; religion interprets. Science gives [human beings] knowledge, which is power; religion gives [human beings] wisdom, which is control. Science deals mainly with facts; religion deals mainly with values. The two are not rivals.” —“A Tough Mind and a Tender Heart” sermon, August 30, 1959
“We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor, it must be demanded by the oppressed. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” -—"Letter from Birmingham Jail," April 16, 1963
“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.” —Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, Oslo, Norway, 1964
“We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now because I've been to the mountaintop... I've looked over and I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land.” —“I've Been to the Mountaintop” speech, April 3, 1968
