Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Maynard on January 25, 2010 at 4:00pm

In my personal response to these worthy questions I offer that by being Blessings, we first relieve, not perpetrate, injustice and suffering. Secondly, we assist others in their abilities to join us. Additionally, we may find a chance to avert a forseen forthcoming injustice; this could become quite common I suspect, as we attend to the possible opportunities. To the third and related question of intercession, I'm sure that each circumstance requires its own unique approach. always with sensitivity and active listening. Of course, it's easier to reason with humans than it is with their astray organizations and power blocks. For the latter, I can see only their defunding, and that's going to require LOTS of us.

Thank you for the stimulating consideration.

Permalink Reply by Rev. Douglas Walker on January 25, 2010 at 5:57pm

Dear Maynard,
I like your idea that one living from the being-state of Blessing is experienced as a relief that does not perpetuate injustice and suffering by polarizing the situation more. Equally your other points are well taken, helping others find the reasons to join with us is crucial and being present with sensitivity and active listening is essential to the aim of intercession and reconciliation. Thank you for your insights.
Blessings - Doug

Permalink Reply by Louise Macdonald on January 26, 2010 at 12:23am

Again, more challenging questions. I think there is no way of knowing if intercession will make a situation worse or not if there is no relational understanding of what is going on. I am not suggesting that one can't intercede unless you know the people involved, on the spur of the moment you follow your heart. But so often the spur of the moment is seen as the beginning and end of the situation. The challenge then is to remain in relationship with the people effected for better or worse by your actions, to take responsibility for bad spur of the moment decisions and do the long term work committing to searching for understanding and reconciliation. It is so much easier to choose the intervention that quickly solves a problem so that one can move on with the business of one's main life. The giving of donations is the obvious quick fix solution but allowing yourself to be available to get enmeshed in the lives of others is a very different level of commitment.

Permalink Reply by Rev. Douglas Walker on January 26, 2010 at 12:49pm

Dear Louise,
Thank you once again for your deeply penetrating thought on these questions. I particularly like this sentence: "It is so much easier to choose the intervention that quickly solves a problem so that one can move on with the business of one's main life." We see this in the daily life of our neighborhoods and towns as well as on the stage of international relations. The U.S. Government and people did this with the Victims of Hurricane Katrina.

I hope we and the world will follow a different course of action in Haiti. As you said, "The challenge then is to remain in relationship with the people effected for better or worse by your actions, to take responsibility for bad spur of the moment decisions and do the long term work committing to searching for understanding and reconciliation." I hope we can rise to this Challenge

Blessings to you and thank you for your wisdom