{"id":24994,"date":"2025-03-30T09:51:04","date_gmt":"2025-03-30T13:51:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/co2mannatoday.com\/?p=24994"},"modified":"2025-03-31T10:05:17","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T14:05:17","slug":"24994","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/co2mannatoday.com\/?p=24994","title":{"rendered":"Islands of Sanity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Brother - Lyric video from Parable series\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cvdrN8Zorjc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Richard Rohr explores the nature of evil\u2014and our collective complicity in it.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After all our religion, higher education, reformations, and revolutions, it seems we\u2019re still quite capable of full complicity in deeds of death. <strong>Religions, governments, corporations, and organizations are all highly capable of evil while not recognizing it as such, because it profits&nbsp;<em>us&nbsp;<\/em>for them to be immoral. <\/strong>Evil finds its almost perfect camouflage in the silent agreements of the group when it appears personally advantageous.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Such deadness continues to show itself in every age. This is what the multifaceted word \u201csin\u201d is trying to reveal. <strong>If we don\u2019t see the shape of evil or recognize how we are fully complicit in it, it will fully control us, while not looking the least like sin. <\/strong>Would <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>\u201cagreed-upon delusion<\/strong><\/span>\u201d be a better description? We cannot recognize it or overcome it as isolated individuals, mostly because it\u2019s held together by group consensus. We <strong>need to be in solidarity with alternative communities and minority groups to see it.<\/strong> The dominant group normally cannot see its lies\u2014in any country or context. It\u2019s the air we\u2019re breathing, reaffirmed at every gathering of like-minded people.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The beginning of a way out is to&nbsp;<em>honestly see what we are doing.&nbsp;<\/em>The <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">price we\u2019ll pay is that we will no longer comfortably fit in the dominant group<\/span><\/strong>! Mature religion must train us to recognize the many camouflages of evil, or everyone\u2019s future will always be dominated by some form of denied deadness, and <strong>not just for the oppressed group; the oppressor dies too, just in much more subtle way<\/strong>s. [1]&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Brian McLaren writes about contemplation as a way of sustaining our spirits and minds while suffering under systems of domination:&nbsp;<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Solitary contemplation becomes the doorway into communion\u2014communion with the Spirit in whom we find a new relationship with ourselves, with others, with history, and with the cosmos\u2026.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Contemplation may start in silence and solitude, but it never stops there<\/strong>. Especially in times of crisis, when truth is drowning \u2026, we are<strong> drawn from contemplative solitude into contemplative community. We find ourselves hungry for communion with others who are also seeking to live examined, mindful lives,<\/strong> to pull aside with even two or three mindful people for deep, honest fellowship. We might come together to sit in silence for a period of time or <strong>take a walk together, letting the shushing of our feet passing through autumn leaves hush the noise of a million monkey-minds clacking to the beat of a million keyboards<\/strong>, hankering for our attention\u2026.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When even two or three of us gather in the name of truth, honesty, and love, in the name of courage, compassion, and kindness, we find ourselves feeling joined by another presence\u2014the presence of Christ, the way, the truth, and the life. We <strong>listen to one another with compassion and curiosity. We speak to one another with wisdom and wonder. We turn together toward the light. And that helps us create islands of sanity in a world that is losing its mind.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Protecting Our Own Light<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Brian McLaren considers how authoritarian systems seek conformity. He highlights practices of contemplation and community that can strengthen our resolve and enable us to remain \u201csalt and light\u201d under difficult circumstances.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An expert in authoritarian regimes, Sarah Kendzior captures the danger like this:\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>Authoritarianism is not merely a matter of state control, it is s<strong>omething that eats away at who you are. It makes you afraid, and fear can make you cruel. It compels you to conform and to comply and accept things that you would never accept, to do things you never thought you would do.<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>No wonder, in a time of authoritarian Caesar-worship, the early Christian leader Paul wrote, \u201cDo not be conformed to this world. But be transformed by the renewal of your minds\u201d (Romans 12:2). Kendzior addresses this very need for inner renewal and transformation. Authoritarian regimes, she says,\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u2026 can take everything from you in material terms\u2014your house, your job, your ability to speak and move freely. <strong>They cannot take away who you truly are. They can never truly know you, and that is your power. But to protect and wield this power, you need to know yourself\u2014right now, before their methods permeate, before you accept the obscene and unthinkable as normal.&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Although she doesn\u2019t use the word&nbsp;<em>contemplation<\/em>, Kendzior points to the importance of knowing who we are, centering into what Howard Thurman called <strong>\u201cthe sound of the genuine\u201d inside us<\/strong>. She continues,\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>We are heading into dark times, and you need to be your own light.<strong> Do not accept brutality and cruelty as normal even if it is sanctioned. Protect the vulnerable and encourage the afraid.<\/strong> If you are brave, stand up for others. I<strong>f you cannot be brave\u2014and it is often hard to be brave\u2014be kind. But most of all, never lose sight of who you are and what you value.<\/strong> [1]&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>I am thinking about these authoritarian patterns not only to better understand what\u2019s happening now in my country. I\u2019m also trying to understand my own country\u2019s history\u2014how millions of so-called Christians in [the United States] consented to the genocide of Indigenous peoples and then consented to the enslavement of kidnapped and trafficked Africans and then consented to American apartheid in the Jim Crow era and then resisted the civil rights movement.\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Studying biases and authoritarianism is also helping me understand in a deeper way <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">why contemplative practices, and especially contemplative practices in community, are so important right now.\u202f&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contemplative practices are many things. Our Christian tradition teaches us that they are<strong> pathways into the direct experience of divine presence and love. Contemporary neuroscience adds that they are also pathways into self-regulation\u2026. Contemplative practices\u2014both solitary and communal\u2014help us resist conformity with wisdom and courage.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td>John Chaffee<br>Learning from the Mystics:<br><strong>St. Francis of Assisi<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><a href=\"x-webdoc:\/\/02FB5A66-390E-4E0C-B516-962BD4F8CA65\/johnchaffee.com\"><\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td>Quote of the Week:<br><em>&#8220;Almighty, eternal, just and merciful God,grant us in our misery the grace to do for You alone what we know You want us to do,and alwaysto desire what pleases You.Thus,inwardly cleansed,interiorly enlightened,and inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit,may we be able to followin the footprints of Your beloved Son,out Lord Jesus Christ.And,by Your grace alone,may we make our way to You, Most High, Who live and rulein perfect Trinity and simple Unity,and are glorified God all-powerful forever and ever.Amen.\u201d- From A Letter to the Entire (Franciscan) Order<\/em><br><br><strong>Reflection\u00a0<br><\/strong>St. Francis of Assisi was a remarkable figure. \u00a0During the 13th century in Italy, the Catholic church was in increasing need for reform. \u00a0Obviously, this reached its apex in the 16th century when Luther kickstarted the Protestant Reformation, but in the 13th century, God called and sent St. Francis.\u00a0<strong>There is a fascinating characteristic about St. Francis, and it is that every religion seems to look favorably upon him. \u00a0Christian or not, his life and lifestyle was as impressive as it was humble.<\/strong>\u00a0It should be no surprise that he then created a whole order within Catholicism that came to be known as Franciscanism.\u00a0And that is what many people miss. \u00a0Many people believe that he was a simple man that inspired reform, which is true, but his simplicity is not to be confused with a simplicity of faith.\u00a0St. Francis was deeply devoted to his own faith, and his letters and writings are proof that he was also deeply theological. \u00a0If anyone takes the time to read what we have from his own hand, they will see references to the Trinity, doctrines of the church, a high ecclesiology (view of the church), the need to be a servant in the world, and so much more.\u00a0<strong>Do not let his simplicity lead you to think that he was a simpleton. \u00a0He lived humbly, but that was actually the ground and foundation of his massive influence.<\/strong>\u00a0He wrote poetry and prayers. \u00a0Letters and admonitions. \u00a0We actually have more from his own hand than people realize.\u00a0Early on in his religious life, after he had denounced his family&#8217;s merchant business, St. Francis was out walking in the woods. \u00a0As he walked he came upon the ruins of an old church and heard the voice of God say to him, &#8220;Rebuild my church.&#8221; \u00a0So Francis got on his hands and knees and proceeded to literally rebuild the physical ruins right in front of him, only to eventually realize that his life&#8217;s purpose was to rebuild the Church, not the church ruins before him.\u00a0<strong>His life is one that helped to rebuild people&#8217;s understanding of and faith in the Church.<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>May we all live lives that help others to do the same today.<\/strong><br><br><strong>Prayer\u00a0 <br><\/strong><em>God, who lives and rules in perfect Trinity and simple Unity, helps us to rebuild the Church. \u00a0We recognize that some cracks and repairs must be made. \u00a0If you see fit, grant us a humble and devoted faith, that we can follow in the footsteps of St. Francis who walked in the footsteps of Your Son, Jesus of Nazareth. \u00a0Help us to take the words of Christ seriously, and to to live them faithfully. \u00a0Amen and amen.<\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Life Overview of St. Francis of Assisi:&nbsp;<br><\/strong><br><strong>Who is He:<\/strong>&nbsp;Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone<br><br><strong>When:<\/strong>&nbsp;Born in 1181 AD, died on October 3rd, 1226.<br><br><strong>Why He is Important:<\/strong>&nbsp;GK Chesterton claimed that he was the most Christlike person since Jesus himself, that everyone has attempted to walk in the footsteps of Jesus but that Francis actually did it.<br><br><strong>Most Known For:&nbsp;<\/strong>Being the founder of Franciscans, one of the mendicant religious orders of Catholicism. &nbsp;He is also attributed as the originator of the first Nativity scene in 1223 AD. &nbsp;And, famously received the stigmata toward the end of his life. &nbsp;He was canonized as a saint within 5 years of his death.<br><br><strong>Notable Works to Check Out:&nbsp;<\/strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/clicks.aweber.com\/y\/ct\/?l=7brA&amp;m=8r.DNeuway90RJVk&amp;b=3iJgk1YRYswTK5arP1Y9rQ\" target=\"_blank\">Francis and Clare: The Complete Works<\/a><br><br><strong>Books About Francis:<\/strong>&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/clicks.aweber.com\/y\/ct\/?l=7brA&amp;m=8r.DNeuway90RJVk&amp;b=cPkq4sE_DwjmX5DbjTBbiQ\" target=\"_blank\">The Life of St. Francis by St. Bonaventure<\/a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/clicks.aweber.com\/y\/ct\/?l=7brA&amp;m=8r.DNeuway90RJVk&amp;b=9a8BmkJXLNPs7nFFWzjzxg\" target=\"_blank\">St. Francis of Assisi by GK Chesterton<\/a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/clicks.aweber.com\/y\/ct\/?l=7brA&amp;m=8r.DNeuway90RJVk&amp;b=DtDReIOSG73K4BtTRRHGJA\" target=\"_blank\">Eager to Love by Richard Rohr<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Richard Rohr explores the nature of evil\u2014and our collective complicity in it.&nbsp; After all our religion, higher education, reformations, and revolutions, it seems we\u2019re still quite capable of full complicity in deeds of death. Religions, governments, corporations, and organizations are all highly capable of evil while not recognizing it as such, because it profits&nbsp;us&nbsp;for them [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/co2mannatoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24994"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/co2mannatoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/co2mannatoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/co2mannatoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/co2mannatoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=24994"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/co2mannatoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24994\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25005,"href":"https:\/\/co2mannatoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24994\/revisions\/25005"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/co2mannatoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=24994"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/co2mannatoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=24994"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/co2mannatoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=24994"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}