<div dir="ltr"><div>In the Spirit of Peace and the Nonviolent Jesus, here is a powerful reflection from a friend of our very own Dwyer Sullivan that is so appropriate for this Lenten season in a world marked by so much strife.</div><div><br></div><div>Let us continue to pray and work for peace in all the world's trouble spots.</div><div><br></div><div>Thank you Dwyer and to your friend Art Laffin!</div><div><br></div><div>In Peace</div><div><br></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><font size="2">Greg</font></div></div><br><br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr"><br></div><br><br><div style="word-wrap:break-word;line-break:after-white-space">Hello:<div>Here is a meaningful meditation for Lent that I thought you might appreciate. It is from my friend and former colleague (Conscience Canada board) Dwyer Sullivan of Kitchener. Dwyer started training as a priest but got married to Sheila (now deceased) and they had a large lovely family. Dwyer was a chaplain and world religions teacher at Catholic high schools. He took students and later adults in a bus or van to the annual protest of the ’School of the America’s’ (renamed 'Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation'), Fort Benning, Columbus Georgia. That school is infamous for teaching Latin American student police and military in counterinsurgency and combat-related skills since its founding in 1946. This meant torture and death of those protesting for human rights in their countries. </div><div><br></div><div>Prayerfully, Murray L<br><div><br><blockquote type="cite"><div>Begin forwarded message:</div><br><div style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-family:-webkit-system-font,Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgba(0,0,0,1.0)"><b>From: </b></span><span style="font-family:-webkit-system-font,Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,sans-serif">Dwyer Sullivan <br></span></div><div style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-family:-webkit-system-font,Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgba(0,0,0,1.0)"><b>Subject: </b></span><span style="font-family:-webkit-system-font,Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,sans-serif"><b>Re: From Art Laffin-- A Lenten Message and Contemporary Adaptation of Isaiah 58: 1-12</b><br></span></div><div style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-family:-webkit-system-font,Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgba(0,0,0,1.0)"><b>Date: </b></span><span style="font-family:-webkit-system-font,Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,sans-serif">07March, 2025 at 2<br></span></div><div style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-family:-webkit-system-font,Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,sans-serif"><br></span></div><br><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><font color="#000000">Hello all,</font><div><font color="#000000"><br></font></div><div><font color="#000000">Here is very meaningful meditation to consider throughout Lent. Art Laffin is a life-tiime Member of the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker House in Washington DC. Their community provided hospitality for my van of 15 students for a week on 10 different occasions. They have continued their weekly vigils to the Pentagon and White House for decades in putting their faith and words into action. I am grateful that he considers me a friend and fellow supporter of non-viiolence and promoting Jesus' message. </font></div><div><br></div><div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">---------- Forwarded message ---------<br>From: <strong class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">Art Laffin</strong><br>Date: Fri, Mar 7, 2025 at 12:21 PM<br>Subject: From Art Laffin-- A Lenten Message and Contemporary Adaptation of Isaiah 58: 1-12<br>To: <br></div><br><br><div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div style="font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700">Dear Friends,</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700"><br>
</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700">Greetings of peace to you at the beginning of this Lenten Season.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700"><br>
</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700">Lent is a time for personal and societal repentance, radical conversion and transformation. Living under the brutal occupation of the Roman empire, Jesus declared: "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the
Gospel." Living in the U.S. empire, we need to heed Jesus' proclamation of repentance and conversion now more than ever as we seek repentance and conversion of ourselves, our society, and nation, as well as our churches, to the Gospel mandate of love, justice,
and a reverence for all life.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700"><br>
</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700">In today's Catholic lectionary the first reading is from Isaiah 58. Below is a slightly revised version of a contemporary adaptation of this scripture passage that I wrote a number of years ago.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700"><br>
</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700">St. Oscar Romero declared: "A Church that doesn’t provoke any crises, a gospel that doesn’t unsettle, a word of God that doesn’t get under anyone’s skin, a word of God that doesn’t touch the real sin of the society in which it
is being proclaimed – what Gospel is that?"</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700"><br>
</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700"> Dorothy Day declared, "The greatest challenge of the day is: how to bring about a revolution of the heart, a revolution which has to start with each one of us." During this Lenten Season, let us pray that we and all the people of God,
can more deeply experience this revolution of the heart which can lead to a nonviolent revolution and transformation of our society and world.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;margin:0px;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;margin:0px;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700">In this time of peril and ruthless political upheaval, we need to dig deep into the well of faith, practice repentance and resist the forces of oppression, destruction and death. Let us thank God for the many people and groups across
the religious and political spectrum who are working tirelessly for the common good and who are challenging and resisting a power structure rooted in White Supremacy, Christian Nationalism, systemic racism, oppression, and violence, and are committed to bringing about
racial, economic, environmental and social justice, just peace and the abolition of war, nuclear weapons and all weapons and war.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;margin:0px;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700"><br>
</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;margin:0px;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700">In this time when genocide, ethnic cleansing and forced displacement is being perpetrated against the Palestinian people by the Israeli and U.S. governments, let us pray and live these prayers from our friends from Sabeel, the
Palestinian Liberation Theology Center:</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;margin:0px;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700"><br>
</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;margin:0px;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700"><i>Christ the Liberator, you call us to the way of nonviolence—a love so radical that it refuses to hate even in the face of injustice. Teach us to see our enemies as fellow image-bearers of God, to resist the temptation of vengeance,
and to reject the lie that violence can bring peace. We confess that we are all sinners, in need of your grace. Help us not to confuse love with passivity or justice with revenge. Strengthen us to hold one another accountable, especially those in power, without
losing sight of our shared humanity. May our resistance to oppression be shaped by truth and compassion, so that in seeking justice, we do not become what we oppose.</i></span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;margin:0px 0px 10px;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700"><br>
</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;margin:0px;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700"><i>Dear Lord, in this season of fasting and lament, we remember those who hunger, those displaced by war, and those whose homes are turned to ash, especially in Gaza and the West Bank. As we journey through Lent, deepen our commitment
to justice and repentance, that we may work to end despair and suffering and help build a world rooted in your peace. </i></span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;margin:0px;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700"><i><br>
</i></span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;margin:0px 0px 10px;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700"><i>Divine Creator, as our Muslim brothers and sisters enter this sacred month of fasting and prayer, we ask for your blessings upon them. We especially remember the suffering people of Gaza and the West Bank, who are being deprived
of basic needs. May this Ramadan be a season of healing, and may your justice break forth like the dawn.</i></span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;margin:0px 0px 10px;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700"><i>Lord, in your mercy… hear our prayer</i>.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;margin:0px;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700">Inspired by the Holy Cloud of witnesses, let us work in solidarity with sister's and brother's everywhere to create the Beloved Community as we seek to redeem the times by making God's reign of love, justice and peace a reality
in our society and world, right here, right now!</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;margin:0px;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700"><br>
</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;margin:0px;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700">In the peace and hope of Jesus,</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;margin:0px;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700">Art </span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;margin:0px;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700"><br>
</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;margin:0px;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(59,32,77)">
<span style="font-weight:700"><br>
</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700"><br>
</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">A LENTEN MEDITATION </span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">CONTEMPORARY ADAPTATION OF ISAIAH 58: 1-12</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">by Art Laffin</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700"> </span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">Cry out, don’t hold back.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">Lift up your voice like a trumpet.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">Announce to my people their rebellion, </span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">To the nation their sins.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700"> </span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">Yet, day after day, the rulers and countless people invoke my name,</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">as if they practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">They delight to invoke my name to bless their violent deeds.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">They use my name to bless and justify their systems of power, structures, institutions, wars and weapons.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">We practice good religion, they say.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">We pray and serve our country well.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">We keep good law and order.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700"> </span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">Look, you serve your own interests, not mine, says Yahweh.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">You follow your religion of nationalism, materialism and militarism,</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">You are slaves to selfishness.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">You know not my ways.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">You don’t know how to fast-- your rituals are empty!</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">You assert an authority you say is rooted in morality.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">You hypocrites!</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">Your morality is rooted in worshiping idols-- gods of metal, money, greed and self-serving power.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">You are desecrating the earth and destroying countless lives!</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">You worship false gods, not me!</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700"> </span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">Is not this the fast that I choose--the real act of worship that I desire:</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">to undo the thongs of the yoke, to renounce white supremacy, empire and all systems of political and economic domination and oppression, </span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">to resist all violence, racism, sexism, discrimination, torture, the death penalty, and all killing,</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">to let the oppressed and captives go free, </span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">to renounce nuclearism and abolish nuclear weapons, killer drones and all weapons,</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">to end all injustice,</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">to reverence all life and to safeguard creation!</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">Is it not to share your resources with the poor, to offer hospitality to the homeless, to welcome the refugees and immigrants, to clothe the naked, and to provide quality housing, health care, food, education and work for everyone?</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">Is it not to love your neighbor, to practice mercy and nonviolence, to make sure that the dignity of each person is respected and to recognize that all human beings are sisters and brothers, children of God?</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">Is it not to eradicate poverty, inequality, racial hatred, injustice and abolish war so that people can live in justice and peace?</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700"> </span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">Then and only then shall your light break forth like the dawn and your healing shall spring up quickly.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">Then you shall call and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and the Lord will say, Here I am.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700"> </span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil,</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">the demonization and scapegoating of your adversaries,</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">the profiling and targeting of African Americans, Muslims, Immigrants and people of color,</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">if you offer food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">if you establish justice for the oppressed, proclaim liberty to the captives, and practice restorative justice,</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">then your light shall rise in the darkness and your despair be transformed into hope.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters never fail.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt, you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; </span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<span style="font-weight:700">you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.</span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(118,62,155)">
<br>
</div>
<div style="direction:ltr;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt">
<br>
</div>
</div>
</div></div><div><br clear="all"></div><div><br></div><span class="gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)">Act Justly, Love Tenderly, Walk Humbly With Your God</div><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><span style="font-size:13pt"> - Micah 6:8</span></div></div></div></div></div>
</div>
</div></blockquote></div><br></div></div></div></div>