Pouting Jonah!
"Sloughing Towards Galilee!"
"Pouting Like Jonah!
Campaign of Non-violence ActionDays!
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time!
". .He took a little child and had the child stand among them. Taking the child in his arms Jesus said: 'Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the One who sent me" (Mark 9:37-Net version).
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From September 21, The International Day of Peace, to October 2, The International Day of Non-violence, tens of thousands will participate in the Campaign of Non-Violence Action Days, with over 5,206+ actions(for more information at: info@pacebene.org.).
In our society, in which childhood is something to grow away from, in which war and ethnic conflicts which we read and view hour upon hour on social media, in which our treatment of homeless and racial minorities constantly mark our lack of brotherhood and sisterhood, and in which our escape is to succeed in the finite years it hardly seems possible that death could be the gateway to anything. Death is ignored, as much as possible. Our selfishness, our blaming of the homeless for their situation, and our greed are all the face of our fear of death we grab at more and more, excluding others.
Yet Jesus has opened the way, calling us to become like "little children" and we can face the finitude of our lives with the mocking words of the Apostle Paul: "Death where is your victory? Death where is your sting? ( I Corinthians 15:55).
We have a choice we can pout like Jonah in our fear or we can choose life, beginning now, and not let death rule our thoughts and words. We can become like little children again, open, loving, and trusting!
As we begin these Weeks of Non-violence Action Days, let us remember that non-violence begins with the truth that all life is sacred, that we are all equal brothers and sisters, all children of the God of peace, already reconciled to one another. So we could never kill or hurt another human being, much less remain silent while there are people on the street, without health insurance, and places to live. Instead of killing or hurting others, we should be willing to be killed and to be injured in the struggle for human rights.
We are "pouting like Jonah" when we walk by homeless people and do not acknowledge them; we are "pouting like Jonah" when we let our politicians criminalize people for simply not having a place to live, I feel like we are becoming more and more like a dictatorship--we are saying to people without housing--"you are less than us;" "you are dirty, unhealthy, not worthy".
Every time I look at the newspaper and social media I see more and more how those without housing are being persecuted and criminalized.
I think of Jessica, who was a nurse practitioner, dying of cancer, lost her housing after going through her insurance and not having enough money for rent, sleeping in the doorway, waiting for a chance for a place to die; I remember Jay, who was murdered, simply for being queer; and the list goes on and on.
"Non-violence" should permeate all of our lives, all of our treatment of others! We can be like Jonah, pouting because he does not get his way, or like little children, open and caring of others, living in the reign of God, trusting in Jesus! Join me in fasting the next two Wednesdays, remembering our brothers and sisters on the streets who have nothing; join me in fasting for our brothers and sisters who do not have the money to purchase a drink or food to use a bathroom or to sit in a restaurant and enjoy life!
Non-violence begins in everyday life! Let us not be a pouting Jonah, but become a little child! Deo Gratias! Thanks be to God!
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May the work of
“figuring people out”
Never replace the work of knowing people
And loving people
And giving them room
To confound
And inspire
And surprise me
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Dr. River Sims, D.Min, D.S.T.
A culture of active nonviolence is powerful. It’s visionary. It’s active. It’s disruptive. It’s healing and transforming. And it’s coming . . . in just a few days.
From September 21, the International Day of Peace, to October 2, the International Day of Nonviolence, tens of thousands of people will take part in Campaign Nonviolence Action Days. With over 5,206+ actions, it’s a coordinated, collaborative experience of what a nonviolent world feels like. Even amidst the violence, war, harm, and destruction we see in our world, people like us are demonstrating that nonviolence is possible. Nonviolence is a huge toolbox, offering solutions, the actions with which to implement them, and the skills for taking care of ourselves and others as we push for widespread change.
Here’s a glimpse of what’s coming. (Many of these actions are hyperlinked to more info. Just hover and click on the words.) During Campaign Nonviolence Action Days, people will:
Study and practice nonviolence skills, including active listening, anti-violence practices, de-escalation and conflict skills, strategic nonviolence, nonviolent communication, conflict and conversation, spirituality of nonviolence, restorative justice, peacebuilding, the Delano Grape Boycott, Gandhi and the Indian Independence Movement, Nonviolent Cities, nonviolence basics, and much more.
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Use nonviolent action to challenge harm and destruction, including demonstrations through protests to divest from nuclear weapons, overpass banner actions to remove dams, a pilgrimage-march through London for a ceasefire in Gaza, global resistance to US militarism, a vigil to support immigrants, numerous peace rallies, a procession for nonviolence, a march in remembrance of homicide victims, and more.
Do healing work, self care, and mutual aid, including meditations, yoga, grief circles, sound healing, thousands of health and wellness activities during World Wellness Weekend, mental wellness messages, family counseling, peer-led healing circles in prison, labor solidarity, hunger relief, trauma healing, peace circles, home care and repair in solidarity with neighbors with disabilities, wrap-around services for unhoused persons, and more.
Build solutions and alternatives, such as the Ubuntu Black-entrepreneurs market, racial healing circles, urban agriculture, official proclamations for the Nonviolent Cities Project, intervening in social isolation and bullying to stop mass shootings in schools, street teams patrolling to prevent gun violence, peace teams protecting civilians in war zones, local peace economy efforts, and other examples.
Care for the Earth with actions like protests to divest from fossil fuels, shutting down Citibank over the climate crisis, a vigil against the Line 3 oil pipeline, World Cleanup Day, an artificial turfs mapping project to report plastic pollution, efforts to monitor vulnerable plant and animal species, education on edible landscapes and resilient communities, sustainable farming teach-ins, climate action by seniors, and a youth assembly on peace and climate issues.
Engage creativity and the arts, including a street theater protest at Vandenberg Air Force Base, an international youth arts exchange, a walking tour of Little Rock High School’s desegregation struggle, a peace-themed art crawl downtown, peace and justice film screenings and festivals, live broadcasts, street chalking, concerts, street murals, a resistance literature book fair, and dozens of other inspiring ideas!
Here are 4 ways to find out more (and join in):
On Wednesdays and Saturdays, we’ll be sharing on-the-ground stories, photos and more in these newsletters. We hope the power and creativity of Campaign Nonviolence Action Days will uplift you. It’s inspiring to see so many people moving into action in such meaningful and beautiful ways. This is what a culture of active nonviolence is all about.
In solidarity, Rivera, Shaina, Erin, Ryan, Mili, Sophia, Rosie, Alisha, Ken and the Pace e Bene Team
Please note: During Action Days, the regular Midweek Insights will be paused, but they’ll be back on October 9. Enjoy the insights from Action Days in the meantime.
Helpful Links
Follow #CNV2024 on Facebook, Twitter(X), and Instagram to see and share photos, videos, and stories of what’s happening.
Check Out the Latest
Play the Campaign Nonviolence Jeopardy Game
Action Reports from Prescott Peace Concert, National Harbor Arms Bazaar Protest, and Opelika, AL action.
Looking for ways to get involved from home? Find out more about our upcoming courses and free teach-ins on October 2.
Pace e Bene is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization fostering justice, peace and the well-being of all through education, resources, and action for nonviolent change. Campaign Nonviolence, a project of Pace e Bene, is a long-term movement to foster a culture of nonviolence free from war, racism, poverty, and environmental destruction.
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