Fighting for Injustice is an Oxymoron
Courage showed up last week in a 14-minute address in the national cathedral. Bishop Mariann Budde of Washington, D.C., at Washington National Cathedral. She preaches the love and acceptance that God has always lived, spoken of, and taught us to have.
Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of the ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.
~ J.R.R. Tolkien
The Hobbit, 1937
She spoke directly to the newly-elected President and Vice President at a holy service and calmly yet sternly confronted their message of hate with these words:
“In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and independent families.
Some who fear for their lives. The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals…may I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away.”

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde is a true American who exemplifies the empathy, compassion, and purpose of her faith. And now, I call on all of us to do the same.
How?


There are two choices
Post angry memes. Call for a revolt or a recount with seething words. Rail and lift your fists high. Go onto a now wide open (wild open) Facebook and take aim at anyone you see fit. Join the crowd fomenting unfairness. Fight without regard to the consequences of your words in order to stop this neofascist takeover of our country.
Fighting for Injustice is an oxymoron.
Joyce M. Jackson
I prefer, on the other hand, to choose to follow what she quietly, straightforwardly, preaches about who we are as a people and what we must do. She emphasized the importance of unity, not as conformity or victory, but as a way of respecting and caring for one another despite our differences. She highlighted that true unity involves honoring the dignity of every person, being honest in our interactions, and practicing humility.
Budde also stressed that unity requires sacrificial love, as taught by Jesus, and that our actions should reflect our prayers for unity.
She called for mercy and compassion towards marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ individuals and immigrants, and urged President Trump to lead with these values in mind. Ultimately, she believes that unity, built on the foundations of dignity, honesty, and humility, is essential for the nation’s well-being.
Oh, and possibly the world’s well-being, too.
Living by dignity, honesty, humility, and unity involves actionable steps. Here are some ways to put these principles into practice:
1. Honor Dignity:
Listening Actively: When someone is speaking, give them your full attention. Validate their feelings and perspectives, even if they differ from yours.
Inclusive Language: Use language that respects and includes all people, avoiding stereotypes and harmful labels.
Support Marginalized Communities: Volunteer with or donate to organizations that advocate for the rights of marginalized groups.
2. Be Honest:
Transparent Communication: Be clear and truthful in your interactions, both personally and professionally.
Admit Mistakes: Own up to errors and take responsibility for them. Apologize sincerely and take steps to make amends.
Seek Truth: Educate yourself on issues before forming opinions. Fact-check information to ensure accuracy.
3. Practice Humility:
Acknowledge Limits: Recognize that you don’t know everything and be open to learning from others.
Appreciate Others’ Contributions: Express gratitude and give credit to those who help or teach you.
Reflect Regularly: Take time to reflect on your actions and behaviors, and seek ways to improve.
4. Foster Unity:
Build Bridges: Engage in conversations with people who have different perspectives. Seek common ground and learn from each other.
Community Involvement: Participate in community activities that bring people together, such as neighborhood clean-ups or cultural festivals.
Show Compassion: Perform acts of kindness, both big and small. Offer help to those in need without expecting anything in return.
Living these principles is a continuous journey. It involves making conscious choices every day to create a more just and unified society.