From the MInister, Fri Sep 14

I voted on Thursday, which I always find a moving and spiritual experience. We don't vote to "make a difference," but to be a part of something larger than ourselves. (See my post HERE.)

As not uncommonly happens, I voted for some candidates who lost. In fact, it was my eighth Presidential election before, for the first time, I voted for the candidate who won.

A friend of mine sent a text: "I love siding with losers."

I get this. For most of my young adulthood I took a certain perverse comfort in the thought that whatever craziness our elected officials might do, it couldn't be blamed on me.

But somewhere in there, I grew up. I texted back, "I'd rather the candidates I voted for won. I'm ready to take that responsiblity."

My friend then asked, "How will you take it?"

"I'm ready to be in a relationship of accountability with my fellow citizens," I answered, "and accept the flaws of the candidates for whom I voted as my very own flaws -- offer stalwart defense fo what is defensible and humble apology for what is not -- hold it as my solemn duty to join, and not retreat from, the conversation of democracy. Openness to new learning and to revision of my judgment is essential -- there will always be much I don't know and a duty to keep learning more -- but I believe the world also calls us to act with the best judgment we have at any given time, to manifest a firm, albeit respectful, righteousness."

May it be so. Yours in faith,
Meredith

The Liberal Pulpit / New this week:

• That "Letting Go" Sigh. The author has a chat with Science about what's going on when we sigh.
• Voting and Belongingness. We don't vote to "make a difference." We vote in order to be a part of something larger than ourselves.

Index of past sermons: HERE. Index of other reflections: HERE. Videos of sermons are on the Liberal Pulpit Youtube Channel: HERE

Practice of the Week: Create Sacred Moments / I can’t be fully focused on the present moment every waking moment, so I can create sacred moments. At these moments the preciousness of immediate experience and living-in-the-now unite. For example, I make a sacred moment each morning, when I stop at a small pond on my way to the office. To better remember each phase of these “S moments,” I use six words that begins with S: Sight, Sky, Stance, Smell, Sense, Sound. READ MORE.

Your Moment of Zen: Perspective / Woodpecker said, "You've told us how Jackrabbit Roshi said that when the Buddha Macaw looked up and saw the morning star, she realized the truth of mutually dependent arising. I hear that the Roshi is now saying that the Buddha realized, 'Just this!'" Raven said, "Something's still missing." "But isn't that what the Buddha realized?" asked Woodpecker, "'Just this morning star'?" Raven ruffled her feathers and said, "No." READ MORE
Zen at CUUC: Sat Sep 15