[Magdalen] Fwd: A bold and sustained outbreak of gentleness

[Grace Cangialosi]

Some of you may get these daily poems, but I was particularly struck by the phrase given as the subject line of this one.


Begin forwarded message:
> Subject: Fwd: A bold and sustained outbreak of gentleness       
>>          
>> We believe in the God of grace.
>> We follow the Teacher of Love.
>> We live by the Spirit of mercy.
>> We trust God's healing of the world.
>> 
>> When people spread fear and division,
>> when evil, injustice and oppression thrive,
>> no political revolution, program or platform will save us,
>> but only a people transformed by grace and light,
>> and a bold and sustained outbreak of gentleness.
>> 
>> We will stand up to cynicism, hate and indifference,
>> and blanket this world with compassion, calm and mercy.
>> We will proclaim the truth against all resistance.
>> We will meet fear and hate with healing.
>> We will obstruct the progress of injustice 
>> with our prayers, our words and our bodies.
>> We will infest the world with grace and love.
>> 
>> We pray for open hearts and a spirit of deep listening.
>> We pray for courage to enter the wounds of the world;
>> for a spirit of peace to face violence with nonviolence;
>> for patience to answer darkness with light.
>> We pray for humility to offer ourselves 
>> as the first to be changed.
>> We pray for one another, for we are one Body.
>> We devote ourselves to sacrifice and discipline.
>> 
>> Giving thanks for the great spirit of grace
>> already breathing in us, already rising,
>> in hope and love, as the gentle people of God,
>> we go forth.          
>> 
>>          
>>          
>> Deep Blessings,
>> Pastor Steve
>> 
>> __________________ 
>> Steve Garnaas-Holmes
>> Unfolding Light
>> www.unfoldinglight.net