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7 April 2010 Issue
2. Commentary on the Lectionary: “Peace be with you”
3. This Week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman
4. This Month’s Issue of the Peaceable Table
1. Activist Feedback
Larry, who leafleted at Casting Crowns in Dayton, Ohio, writes, I enjoyed passing out 150 booklets with about 90 to 95% acceptance rate. People were friendly and quite receptive. A few I engaged in short conversations. I approached people by asking if I could give them a Christian publication about diet, factory farming, and the environment. Sometimes I added "from the Christian Vegetarian Association of which I'm a member". Mentioning the Association actually seemed to elicit a positive reaction. I was really 'in the swing of it" when a Nutter Center official approached me and said I couldn't pass out anything without prior approval from the concert performers or by making a written application to Wright State U.-in which case they would locate me in a free speech zone across the highway away from the center. I was very aggravated at the way they treat "free speech." I had a civil discussion with the official, but had to leave a half hour before the concert. Have others had this problem? What are our legal rights in these situations? We've had protests and several actions at WSU over the years with no trouble.
Editor’s note: It’s often a good idea to find out what is public property and what is private property prior to events. In general, state universities are public property, and courts have generally protected by the First Amendment rights there. However, arenas, stadiums, and similar venues, as well as surrounding sidewalks and parking areas, are generally private property where restrictions on free speech can legally be made.
2. Commentary on the Lectionary: “Peace be with you”
April 11, John 20:19-31
In this passage, Jesus returns after the Crucifixion and greets his disciples saying, “Peace be with you.” If we are going to generate and maintain communities that are loving, compassionate, and forgiving, we must feel at peace. Though there is struggle and suffering in the world, we must find ways to avoid the fear, anger, and regret that cripple our natural yearnings to be compassionate and to connect spiritually with everyone around us.
Those who seek power for their own ends generate support by fear-mongering, convincing people that enemies wish to harm them. While it is foolish to ignore real dangers in the world, we cannot allow those dangers to paralyze us from seeking truth and justice.
Jesus said, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (20:23). I understand this to mean that forgiveness interrupts the cycle of sinful accusation and recrimination that impedes reconciliation and love. We are called to help establish the realm of God on earth as in heaven, and having peace in our hearts is crucial to this witness.
3. This Week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman
Jesus’ Resurrection Continues
http://www.all-creatures.org/sermons97/s26mar89.html4. This Month’s Issue of the Peaceable Table
Contents include:
* The Editorial, "The Prophet From Nazareth," explores the issue of the relevance of Jesus to the animal concern. Jesus may have eaten fish at times, but whether or not he was a vegetarian is not the primary issue. As a prophet proclaiming the Kingdom of God--an ancient Jewish theme--his message implies that God rejects exploitation and intends compassion and justice for all.
* One of the Unset Gems, by Abraham Heschel, tells us that "Few are guilty; all are responsible . . . ."
* A NewsNote gives the good news that Will Tuttle's World Peace Diet reached the top ten on Amazon in mid-March.
* This month's Glimpse of the Peaceable Kingdom shows a loving mother dachshund who adopted a little piglet into her litter of puppies.
* In one of the Reviews we meet Oscar, the nursing-home kitty with a unique vocation to comfort the dying. You will want to read all about it in “Making Rounds with Oscar” by David Dosa.
To read this issue, go to http://www.vegetarianfriends.net/issue64.html
Toward the Peaceable Kingdom,
Gracia Fay Ellwood, Editor
Your question and comments are welcome
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