Tag Archive for Christian

Why We Vote on That Day of the Week

I’ve often wondered why the day for federal elections is set on Tuesday. In the midst of a busy week, with school, work, family responsibilities, and the like.  Why not, say, on Saturday?  Now I know.

It seems that Tuesday was chosen for the convenience of voters, which, in those days (1845), were the more prosperous white men. Those guys were mostly rural Christian farmers. That meant that they couldn’t vote on Sunday, the Lord’s day, and Wednesday was Market day.  Besides, they had to travel by horse one or two days to get to the polling place. Tuesday worked around all that for most of them

But why November? Because by early November the crops have been harvested, yet harsh winter weather hadn’t set in yet.  It was a handy time for them to travel to vote.

Who votes has changed, and we’re less of an agrarian economy than in those days.  But the Tuesday after the first Monday in November remains the same.

Who says politics is behind the times?

What Jesus, Buddha, & Muhammad Shared in Common

Today’s Thursday Thought quote is an important, yet basic, message from three of the world’s great religious leaders.

Be Aware

Christians sing “Here I Am, Lord.” Jews call to mind the example set by the Levites who were called to serve God. Muslims know that the word “Islam” means “submission,” serving the will of Allah. All people, even atheists, have that feeling deep within them that, whether a higher power is involved or not, we have an obligation as part of the human race to watch out for each other. Of course, Believers know that God isn’t going to text us with instructions. But how often do we look around to see if, just maybe, opportunities are presenting themselves around us?

There’s that out-of-work man you keep running into, and an opening where you work.  There’s the ill neighbor, and you do go to the grocery store weekly anyway.  There’s the lonely stranger in the room you pass on your way to visit your dad at the nursing home, and you really do have an extra fifteen minutes.  The City Council is about to pass a harmful resolution, and you have the ability to speak convincingly. 

Just look around. Be aware of chances to serve–if not God then your fellow travelers on this Earth.

Whose fault is it?

Sixteen-year-old Noor ran the best race of her life–then was disqualified. During the pre-race uniform check, her teammate was told she was in violation and had to change her shorts. Noor wore the same uniform through years of competition and nobody said anything. Her coach, who is responsible for making sure all of his athletes meet OHSSA rules and regulations, said nothing during those years or on that day. But that day, a day she, her coach, team, parents, family, and friends should be celebrating, she was disqualified for a uniform violation–wearing her customary hijab, which officials put into the same category as a cap or hat, thus violating their rules. Unless it was religious, in which case the athlete had to get special permission in advance from OHSSA (she was never asked before or told about the rule).

Whose fault was this? Certainly not Noor’s. Maybe society’s. Why would any person or organization consider religious attire on the same level as a baseball cap or sun hat? Or think that special advance permission was needed for such a common expression of faith? Christians, hide the cross or crucifix you wear around your neck, and Jews hide your Star of David. And, Noor, please know that most of us respect your meeting your religious dictates, as well as your talent.

Read the details here.

A Day for Christians and Jews

Today Good Friday and the start of Passover coincide. The Christian observance is all day, and the Jewish one begins at sunset. The idea of both is the same–to stop, reflect, pray, and give thanks.

My best wishes to all for a blessed Passover and Easter season.

Christian?

During this pre-Christmas time of year, when love and compassion should abound, I’m struck by common things we do to each other: anger at other drivers, illegally and inconsiderately using a handicap parking spot, pushing fellow shoppers out of our way, avoiding eye-contact and a humanizing greeting for people we pass, especially the homeless, tossing our trash on the yard we walk by, not calling or visiting someone we know is lonely or ill….  For those of us who call ourselves “Christians,” this season and this Thursday Thought quote should be a reminder.

“We are not going to win the masses to Christianity until we live it.” – Dorothy Day

Put a Song in Your Heart

How do we make our WORLD great again? Together!

This is a wonderful, inspiring video that should brighten your day and start your week off on a positive note.

(Wait for video to load, then right-click to unmute.)

 

https://www.facebook.com/102230317063118/videos/154468718505944/

Seeds of Peace

Because of the significance of the season--notably Good Friday today, beginning of Passover tonight, Easter Sunday in two days–I’d like us all to think about peace.

PEACE is God’s loving gift to us.  All He asks is that we accept it together.  All of us, from all faiths.  One way is through “The Peace Seeds.”  These 12 prayers were prayed in  Assisi on the 1986 Day of Prayer for World Peace.  They are Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Muslim, Sikh, Bahai’, Shinto, Native African, Native American, Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Christian.  They may refer to the Life Force in different ways, but all call on it to help us attain the peace our Father wishes for us.

Let each prayer touch you deeply, where your longing for peace lives. Feel the unity of the world is in its craving for peace.  Then call upon God using each prayer.  You may want to change the references you aren’t comfortable with: “Vedic Law” in the Hindu to “Holy Law” or “Buddhahood” to “Your Will.” Remember: God wants not mere words from us but a unified desire to accept His gift.

You’ll find the Peace Seed Prayers at http://chaplaincyinstitute.org/library/blessings-and-prayers/interfaith-prayers-for-peace.

April: Focusing on Faith

April is a busy month.  Several religions celebrate important spiritual occasions during this month.  I thought I’d list them and encourage all believers to honor their own  religious tradition not only by  respecting the sacred beliefs of others but also by remembering that we are all part of the same human family under that Supreme Being/Force/God–whatever name we affix to Him/Her/It.

April:

1–Lazarus Saturday – Orthodox Christian

2–Palm Sunday – Orthodox Christian

5–Ramanavami  – Hindu

9–Palm Sunday- Christian

10–Mahavir Jayanti  – Jain

11–Lord’s Evening Meal – Jehovah’s Witness Christian

.     Hanuman Jayanti – Hindu

11-14–Theravadin New Year  – Buddhist

11-18–Pesach (Passover)  – Jewish

13–Maundy Thursday – Christian

14–Holy Friday – Orthodox Christian

.      Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) – Sikh

.      Good Friday – Christian

16–Easter – Christian

.      Pascha (Easter) – Orthodox Christian

21–First Day of Ridvan  – Baha’i

23–St. George’s Day – Christian

.       Yom HaShoah  – Jewish

24–Lailat al Miraj * – Islam

29–Ninth Day of Ridvan  – Baha’i

30–St. James the Great Day – Orthodox Christian

Special blessings to all this month!

 

A Saintly Idea

MOTHER TERESA, the newest Catholic saint, was blessed with the wisdom to understand life in its most simple elements.   In today’s Thursday Thought quote she describes a philosophy she lived by and that would do us good to remember in this world in which atrocities are done in the name of God (no matter what name He/She is called by):

“There is only one God and He is God to all; therefore it is important that everyone is seen as equal before God. I’ve always said we should help a Hindu become a better Hindu, a Muslim become a better Muslim, a Buddhist become a better Buddhist and a Christian become a better Christian.”