02 May, 2008

Compassion is a spiritual imperative

While in elementary school, did anyone else have to dance around a decorated Maypole on or about May 1st? As a child, I thought it kinda goofy and did not realize at the time that it was a rather pagan ritual being conducted on the asphalt playgrounds around America.

Compassion has certainly always had a spiritual quality to it but until recently, I don't know if I ever thought of it as an imperative. And yet, I have taught that it is imperative that we strive to practice compassion with one another. Hmm.

Headlines and news often call for us to offer or move to a place of compassion.
The fact that the war is still going strong qualifies as more practice. And more recently, the brouhaha with Rev. Wright is enough to send us all spinning -- no matter what our political party or race.

Can we as a nation stop giving Rev. Wright a public platform for his manipulative and cruel attempt to gain notoriety and celebrity? I shall not even begin to second guess as to why Rev. Wright is choosing this unique and historical time to launch his blatantly loaded diatribes; or why or how he thinks this serves humanity of any color.

As a member of the clergy myself, I find his behavior so distasteful and regret that he is using his ecclesiastical mien as a public platform for his seemingly personal vendetta.

On the playground in school, the way I learned to handle (or preferably, avoid) a bully was to not give him or her any attention, time, energy or emotion. Yes, I experienced my scuffles and a few bruises at the outset of a bully's attack; however, if I somehow found a way to stay neutral or silent, it would usually diffuse the situation or end it completely.

Perhaps the press and the media feel compelled to continue to the feeding frenzy with Rev. Wright, but I firmly believe that enough of us find a way to neutralize it for ourselves --whether by ignoring it or praying about it-- that this, too, will go quietly into the good night and we can get back to celebrating the merry month of May.

5 comments:

eleedee said...

One thing good that's coming out of the Rev. Wright situation is that black pastors across America are speaking up and saying that they disagree; that they preach compassion; and that their Christ is about love and compassion for all children of God, whatever color our skin.

Your post today reminds me that I should add Rev. Wright to my prayer ticket.

My personal opinion of his motivation? He's taking his vendetta to the bank, yo.

Anonymous said...

Saying amen to that. I appreciate
your clarity, Duchess. Mel

Lady of the Latte said...

You are sooo Wright...er, I mean, RIGHT.

Adding the ersatz Rev. Wright to the prayer ticket is an excellent idea that will benefit us all.

As with any challenge or negative circumstance, there is lemonade to be had. So we sweeten it with prayer.

Cheers!

Lia Amidechat said...

The fact that Obama is still standing tall after this Wright-ous bashing proves that this is indeed a man of great mettle. He gets my vote any day.

Lady of the Latte said...

Someone from another connection read this blog and wrote to me privately (which is why I am not using names) and suggested I go to Rev. Wright's website to read his speeches in their entirety to gauge his meaning.

I think that is a valid idea.

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