Piloting Faith: The madness of mercy...

A Word for the Day...

In our thirst for scapegoats, we are attacking the immigrants of this nation. When we aren't doing that, we are killing black people, discriminating against LGBTQ people and criminalizing women's rights over our own bodies. It's hard to know where to go to be safe if you are in these groups. Ironically, it's the privileged, protected people who sleep with guns by their beds, certain that they will be attacked at any minute. They feed on that fear narrative, justifying their cruelty in the name of freedom. It's madness.

I recently read this poem which has now become my prayer, for the oppressed and the oppressor. Perhaps we can find our way back to each other through mercy.

Mercy

by Nikki Giovanni

She asks me to kill the spider.
Instead, I get the most
peaceful weapon I can find.

I take a cup and a napkin.
I catch the spider, put it outside
and allow it to walk away.

If I am ever caught in the wrong place
at the wrong time, just being alive
and not bothering anyone,

I hope I am greeted
with the same kind
of mercy.


This world is not nearly as scary as we make it. What makes is scary is when we forget that we are each other's keepers. We are all in this together.

- Rev. Cameron Trimble, author of Piloting Church: Helping Your Congregation Take Flight

Blessing for the Week

May the God who dwells with those called outspoken, traitors, and subversive dwell also with you, writing peace across your soul. Go with God, speaking hope, singing memory, and dancing justice in your land.

- Jan Richardson, Sacred Journeys: A Woman's Book of Daily Prayer