Veterans’ Day 2017

Veterans’ Day we call it now. It was originally Armistice Day marking the end of The Great War at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. We call it World War I now. It was to be the war to end all wars, with the hope there would not be a second. But obviously that didn’t happen. Somehow the end of one war sows the seeds of the next war. Something about fighting for peace is inherently self-contradictory. Yet, today we rightly honor those who served at great risk and cost with an abiding and deep hope for peace and justice. Perhaps the realpolitik of our world precludes the possibility of peace with justice, but as one who aspires to follow Jesus Christ as his faithful disciple, I will continue to engage in the pursuit of just peace regardless of the risk and cost to me. And I will continue to pray that the hopes for peace and justice of those who served, many at the cost of their lives, will be fulfilled, even if in small increments.

All economic and political philosophies and systems are human inventions

All economic and political philosophies and systems are human inventions susceptible to abuse, corruption, and injustice, some more than others. I do not consider myself to be liberal, conservative, or moderate and have no loyalty to a political party or group. Following the lead of the Hebrew prophets and Jesus, I seek justice, compassion, and prosperity especially for weak, poor, and powerless people and integrity and pursuit of the common good from those in positions of leadership and responsibility.