not our enemy

For many of us, it’s been a challenge – it’s been difficult to sit at the foot of social media and drink from the firehose, without spewing anger, frustration, and sadness at the screen. Or write post after post, preaching to the choir about the madness and chaos and horror we live in. Because it’s very clear: those who read my words already hold my hand in solidarity against greed, power, and selfishness.

Today, though, I saw a small clip from our beloved The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in which he spoke so beautifully about the intersection of his humor and his faith… in which he quoted part of a poem by poet laureate Robert Hayden.

We must not be frightened nor cajoled
into accepting evil as deliverance from evil.

Colbert’s words left me both tearful and hopeful.

Tearful because it seems many who hold so tightly to their claim of faith believe the end – a country that suits their particular brand of religion – justifies the means – policies and orders of pure cruelty and a heartbreaking lack of compassion.

Hopeful because I believe the darkness of hate and oppression can be overwhelmed by the light of love – the kind that shines through when our faith is true… the kind that prompts good men and women to rise and speak truth to power.

May we all find our own ways to hold fast, protect the oppressed, fight that we “renew the vision of a human world where godliness is possible…” (also from Hayden), and see the whole world as our neighbor – not our enemy.

I pray for us all… xoxox

Here is an interesting article about the poet and another link to the Steven Colbert clip.

Photo by Vladimir Shipitsin