by Marianna Harris
As I was watching the parliamentary debate over the bill to impose a solution on the labour dispute at the Post Office I heard an M.P. quote a grace used by J.S. Woodsworth.
"We are thankful for this food and all the good things of life. We recognize that they are a part of our common heritage and come to us through the efforts of our brothers and sisters the world over. What we desire for ourselves, we wish for all. To this end, may we take our share in the world's work and the world's struggles."
What we desire for ourselves we wish for all. What a wonderful aspiration!
If we live in adequate housing, we wish for adequate housing for all. And we find ways to encourage affordable housing.
If our work offers us adequate financial support we wish for a living wage for all. How can our society make this possible?
I was surprised to discover that in 1918 Woodsworth, a Methodist minister, left the church because it wasn't a strong enough advocate for social justice. Here's what he had to say: "Religion is for me not so much a personal reflection between 'me' and 'God' as rather the identifying of myself with or perhaps the losing of myself in some larger whole".
I like this because it's my conviction that an important part of Jesus' teaching can be stated in this simple phrase, "It's not all about me".
How can we live out our compassion for others in our modern world? Marianna