Glimpses of Hope

As I sit here, compiling my thoughts for this week, what is foremost in my mind, like so many others, is the shooting that claimed the lives of five people in the Mosque in Quebec city and the shock wave it sent across the country.

We Missed the Mark

Prejudice, discrimination, racism, fueled by fear of the other, are very real in our world. This is not new. If we pause to reflect on the history of humanity we can see clearly that this fear has dominated and continues to dominate all of our relations. From personal to tribal conflicts to world wars, differences in understanding, spiritual beliefs and cultural practices have driven people to unthinkable acts. And yet, at the base of all world religions lies the principle of love and the concept that we should do to others what we would have them do to us. Respect, dignity, justice, right relations are all exemplified by people like Mohammad, Buddha and Jesus but those of us who profess to follow in their footsteps seem to have missed the mark.

Having said all that I am lifted up out of the darkness by the glimpses of hope that still manage to flicker in the night. In the wake of this horrific attack on the Muslim community in Quebec who were gathered for prayer there has been an outpouring of friendship, care and support from people in all walks of life. Gatherings have taken place where people of all faiths and no faith have stood side by side in solidarity. Small acts of kindness, support and love that have the capacity to speak volumes.

From Darkness to Light

The reality is –

the only way to combat hate is with love. My prayer is that the outpouring of support, the holding of hands despite our differences. the calls to end discrimination will not simply peter out as the distance from this tragedy grows. It is our responsibility to work daily towards right relations with all.

Our daily actions –

the words we use and the way we treat one another should reflect the love that forms the foundation upon which we stand. Only when respect, dignity and justice become as common as the air we breathe will we be able to change our story from hate to love; from war to peace; from oppression to freedom and from darkness to light.

May it be so.

Blessings
Valerie