Tuesday, September 1, 2020
If you watch nothing else today, watch the tweets that Trump sent over the weekend. They include scenes of his followers driving down the street honking their horns, which they have every right to do, shouting at protesters, again, which they have every right to do, but what they do not have a right to do is to physically attack them. That one is on Trump’s tweet as well.
What kind of leader praises someone who has killed one person in cold blood, then turned around and killed the second one because he was trying to take his AR-15 away from him? Have we become like Belarus?
There was a time when we as a people could disagree with someone but not erase that person’s humanity. Or was that time merely a figment of our imagination? I fear we are entering a time of dark days. Although not Saul who pursued David, fear for all of us no matter where we are on the political spectrum.
Prayer for the Day
We call upon you, O God, for we fear the coming days;
Restore to our Nation a spirit of calm, a spirit of tolerance.
We cry out to you, O God, for events seem to overtake us;
Help us as we seek to talk, not shout, listen, not turn away.
We ask that you give us the grace to be strong in this time,
And not to succumb to the temptation to do vengeance.
In the Name of the One who was open to all,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Violence ever defeats its own ends. Where you cannot drive you can always persuade. A gentle look, a kind word, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles. There is a secret pride in every human heart that revolts at tyranny. You may order and drive an individual but you cannot make him respect you.
William Hazlitt
English essayist, philosopher
(1778–1830)
To paraphrase the sages: No one can think and hit someone at the same time.
Susan Sontag
American writer, social critic
(1933–2004)
O Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult?
They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast.
They crush your people, O Lord, and afflict your heritage.
They kill the widow and the stranger, they murder the orphan,
And they say, “The Lord does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive.”
Psalm 94:3–7