Notice During the Covid-19 Outbreak
In solidarity, we at the Interfaith Peace Project stand together in these times of heart break and upset. Some of you may have lost friends or family members. Some of you may have lost your job and your income; some may be working overtime to help with the crisis. Some of you may be home and alone and some may be trying to figure out a new way to live. Please let us know how we can help. If you would like a phone appointment with any of us, give us a call.You may call or email Tom at:
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September 18, 2020
Dear Friends,
In honor and celebration of The International Day of Peace, Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P., is sharing a daily reflection from various sources from September 11 to September 21, 2020. Today is Day 8 of those reflections. If you missed some of the reflections, you can find them on our website (under Blogs), interfaithpeaceproject.org.
“The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire. The United Nations invites all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities during the Day, and to otherwise commemorate the Day through education and public awareness on issues related to peace.”
For more information on the day click here or go to: https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-peace
The Interfaith Peace Project
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RADICAL OPENNESS
Eleven Days of Peace: Day 8
Eleven Days of Peace: Day 8
Celebrating The International Day of Peace
Who knows from whence this great creation sprang?
The Most High from whom all this great creation came?
Whether the Most High’s will created or was mute,
The Most High seer that is in the highest heaven knows –
or perchance even the Most High knows not.
There is an implicit humility to be found in the great Spiritual Traditions of Humankind. It is a sign of immaturity to think one Tradition knows everything absolutely. The Ultimate can never be mastered by the partial knowledge of any given Tradition.
If individual Spiritual Traditions could master the humility implicit in their Sacred Writings and Sacred Narratives, their people could rejoice in the splendor of it All.
As a person matures, they realize how much they might not know. This is “Holy Ignorance” which empowers one to be radically open to the wisdom of others.
Someone said, “Without borders, there is no Country.” Nonetheless, borders must not be walls of exclusion but open doors of welcome. Strong walls create prisons. We must not become inmates based on fear and prejudice.
Physical barriers and walls are one thing. We must transcend the walls of our need to be right about everything. The Buddha reminded us to change our thoughts and beliefs in light of the discover of truth as it unfolds. What I believe today may change tomorrow because I had the courage to meet you and learn from you. We had the courage to learn from one another.
The Jewish Tradition reminds us, “God loves stories so God made humankind.” May our stories cause God to rejoice and ourselves to live in peace.
RESPONSE
I will embrace the diversity revealed in the Natural World.
I will embrace the diversity of the peoples around me.
I will foster peace through humility of heart.
I do not know everything and my ignorance is holy.
I am radically open to the wisdom of others who are my companions in life.
I will humbly and lovingly share my wisdom with others.
I will practice the joy of humility in every moment of my life.
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