We are being tested

Dear Friends,

 

The level of denial in America is staggering.   I just sent out a savage piece by Joe Bageant describing the hatefulness and callousness toward the suffering of the Iraqi people that permeates this country.  The refusal to face facts about another stolen election, despite the valiant efforts of brave patriots like John Conyers, David Cobb and Barbara Boxer, is also staggering.

 

Americans like to be on the winning side, and clearly Bush is the winner.  Americans live by images, and they have bought the Bush image of an anointed bearer of the cross, out to defeat the infidel and save the Holy Land.  They like their comforts, and understand that Bush's ferocity is designed to maintain their economic superiority.  And somehow they manage to overlook the fact that he is impoverishing their children.

 

Americans are also aware, on some level, that Bush is ruthless, that he was complicit in 9-11, that he runs mean and dirty campaigns, that he condones, encourages war crimes and torture, that he murders his opponents when necessary, that he is seeking the power to strip any American of citizenship and "disappear" him/her with no notice to relatives and no due process.   His subliminal message is "Fear me, I can kill you".  So we have the carrot and the stick.  Unconsciously, it is the fear of being targetted as a "terrorist" if one opposes the regime that keeps Americans from noticing the more and more blatant crimes of the Bush junta.  Meanwhile, the planet is dying.

 

My daughter, Hannah Clapsadle, also a peace activist, sent me the following advice:  I think it is really challenging to keep balanced in this messed up world. In a sense we are constantly grieving if we are open to what is happening. I know that it is important to stay in touch with emotion, but to release it as well, like a constant flow. I recommend that you concentrate on acknowledgement, grieving and release in your meditation. This will make you lighter and more focused and productive. Embrace the joy of the work you are doing.

 

Jesus sustains me.  His blessing of peacemakers (Matthew 5: 9) comforts me.  His promise that He came not to condemn the world but to save it (John 3: 17) maintains my faith.  His willingness to suffer helps me to bear my own pain as I do this work.

 

Heb 2:14-18
Since the children share in blood and flesh,
Jesus likewise shared in them,
that through death He might destroy the one
who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,
and free those who through fear of death
had been subject to slavery all their life.
Surely He did not help angels
but rather the descendants of Abraham;
therefore, He had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way,
that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God
to expiate the sins of the people.
Because He imself was tested through what He suffered,
He is able to help those who are being tested.

 

In the name of the Prince of Peace,   Carol Wolman