Bulletin Announcement       Sunday     June 25, 2017             

               FranciscansForJustice.org
 
Today's Gospel begins with Jesus telling his disciples (that's me and you) these three words: "Fear no one." Then he uses the refrain, "Do not be afraid." "Do not be afraid."
 
We hear the news of drastic events in our world. We wonder who to believe in our government.  We find ourselves living in families that--darn it--just aren't perfect...We see hateful graffiti painted on buildings. We watch homeless folks who look so forlorn and abandoned. "Do not be afraid." "Do not be afraid."
 
The next paragraph is a quote from a famous person. Put your hand over the last paragraph, so you can read the quote without knowing the source. Ask yourself when this was written, and does it apply to your experience today. After reading the quote, sit still with it for a bit before lifting your hand and reading the last paragraph...
 
'This is what you shall do: Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to everyone that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any person or number of people...re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem.'
 
Now that you have reflected on this quote, does it correspond to Jesus telling you to fear no one? Does it empower you to hope and to take action--moving fear into love? Amazingly, it was written over 150 years ago. By Walt Whitman, in his preface to Leaves of Grass, in 1855. The struggle continues. Don't give up. Don't be afraid.
 


 



 











 


 
 
 

 

 



                                 
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