Peacemakers

Forget conventionalisms; forget what the world thinks of you stepping out of your place; think your best thoughts, speak your best word, work your best works, looking to your own conscience for approval.

Many people want their voices to be heard, and I think we need to use some of our privilege as internationals to get those voices heard directly in the US, rather than through the filter of well-meaning internationals such as myself. I am just beginning to learn, from what I expect to be a very intense tutelage, about the ability of people to organize against all odds, and to resist against all odds.

The spiritual life is not before, after, or beyond our everyday existence. No, the spiritual life is lived in the midst of the pains and joys of the here and now.

Let it be stated clearly that to make peace a reality, we must be flexible as well as wise. We must truly recognize our own faults and move to change ourselves in the interest in making peace… Let us banish anger and hostility, vengeance and other dark emotions, and transform ourselves into humble instruments of peace.

We are not at peace with others because we are not at peace with ourselves, and we are not at peace with ourselves because we are not at peace with God.