​​​Dear LCC Community,

As I stumble through the stress of our current social crises, I have come across some ideas and advice that have been helpful. Here are a couple of them.

“There are two kinds of people: good people and good people who are hurt.” That’s the message of Scarlett Lewis, who’s life mission is to bring teachings into schools, homes, and communities for developing love, compassion, courage, and gratitude. She does this through her Choose Love Movement, which she founded in response to the fatal shooting of her six-year -old son Jesse at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. I highly recommend learning more about her principles at chooselovemovement.org.

I love Scarlett’s principles because they match those of nonviolent action as practiced and taught by Mohandas Gandhi, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and so many others who have helped to overcome so much domination of racism, hatred, economic abuse, and other injustices over the past 100 years.

Commitment to non-violence is deeply spiritual, as in these words of brother Martin: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." (from his 1957 sermon "Loving Your Enemies" and in his 1963 book, Strength to Love)

I have been buoyed to witness the vast number of people bringing food and other help to immigrants afraid to leave their homes, and of bystanders documenting details of unjust actions by authorities.

It reminds me of Mr. Rogers’ quoting his mom when he was a boy and saw frightening things on the news: "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping."

The awesome power of love is the dominant force in the movie, “A Force More Powerful,” which chronicles the hard-won successes of the movements to end colonial rule in India, to integrate the American South, and to end apartheid in South Africa.

This was the path of Jesus of Nazareth, whose example has inspired so many, including the founders of the movement of democracy. "Blessed are the peacemakers,” he said, “for they shall be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9). "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27). "Put your sword back in its place, for all who take the sword will die by the sword" (said to Peter when he pulls his sword to defend Jesus, in Matthew 26:52).

The sacred principles at the heart of non-violent political action work for those of us at home as well as for protestors. We can’t simply make negative feelings go away. We can’t change the past. The way to peace is to acknowledge hard realities and yet trust that there is a higher, deeper truth available for dealing with them. What practices help us do that? Let’s do more of them.

 

Peace and blessings,

​

 Lee

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