A week of love in action!

I am a highly programmed person. The programs I go to can be hit or miss, but this week they were all home runs! In fact, I cried at each one!

On Monday it was the brilliance of the Georgetown program "Confronting Racism in Our Hearts and in Our Nation," which featured a deeply moving panel. Here were some of my favorite quotes/ideas from the program:

• Archbishop Wilton Gregory
• Racism is a spiritual difficulty.
•  We confuse public actions with human conversion.
• Pope Francis shows us that the role of faith is to accompany people - to walk with them and to challenge them. Dr. King did that too (he was a minister of the gospel).
• Don't lose hope.
• Professor Marcia Chatelain
• It is significant when someone has a moral choice and chooses against the dignity of others.
• It is important to consider the consequences of our power on others' dignity. 
• We need to sit with negative emotions, and grapple with them, in order to heal. 
• We need to say tough things that call people in instead of out.
• Justice must be joyful.
• Moral imagination is important. 
• We all must consider what harm we have done and how we can work to repair it.
• We need love that is willing to risk. Where is each of us called to risk?
• Don't accept surface-level solutions.
• Racism has two functions - to discipline and to humiliate. 
• Reverend Jim Wallis
• What's at stake is the soul of the nation and the integrity of faith. 
• Racism is a continuing threat to Imago Dei.
• Don't retreat to cynicism. 
• Congressman John Lewis
• The Church should be a headlight not a taillight. 
• The way of love is a much better way. Just love everyone. You're making a downpayment on the Beloved Community. Love is so strong, so powerful.
• Voting is the most powerful nonviolent instrument we have.

On Wednesday it was to the emotion of the Second City show "Nothing to Lose (But Our Chains)." Comedian Felonious Monk shares his life story of growing up with a young single mother, spending time in prison, and becoming an activist. His reflections on life and society are insightful and beautiful stated. I laughed AND cried!

On Thursday it was the joy of rocking out at the Janet Jackson State of the World concert. It was amazing to think back at just how many hits she has had. And she still moves right along with her decades younger backup dancers! It is clear that she has had an impact on the world, and still today she is pointing out injustice and giving her voice to the side of love.

This was one of my all-time favorite weeks!