"Blaze, blaze at this good night!" A Christmas villanelle for David Hartsough

Knowing David Hartsough has been one of the great blessings of my life. David is a true Quaker and one of the most amazing peace activists I've ever met. He's been involved with peace and justice work since his teenage years and started the Nonviolent Peace Force and World Without War. He's also been arrested countless times at peace and civil rights demonstrations. He is currently involved with the Poor People's Campaign and efforts to avoid conflict with China and Russia. He has also written a fascinating book called "Waging Peace: Global Adventures of a Lifelong Peace Activist," which I highly recommend.

Sadly, David was diagnosed with blood cancer 17 months ago and was given only a few months to live. But as Norman Cousins once said, "Don't deny the diagnosis, deny the verdict." David's cancer journey hasn't been easy, but he has made the best of it and set a shining example. As Christmas 2022 approaches, David is still alive and working for peace and enjoying life to the fullest. He recently went to Yosemite with his family, he still bikes around Haight Ashbury where he lives, and he looks for to going to Washington DC and getting arrested with the Poor People's Campaign. It was such a joy to talk with him via Zoom this week since I had a chance to see his famous smile. It was also a joy to receive a Christmas card from David and his wife Jan that showed them smiling with a spectacular sunset in the background.

As I reflected on this picture, I was reminded of Dylan Thomas' famous villanelle, "Do not go gently into that good night."  Inspired by this poem, I was led to write this villanelle for David. I was also inspired by these words from Luke's Gospel: "Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the paths of peace" (Luke 1:48-79).  These word sum up for the me the life of my amazing friend David Hartsough.

Go, gentle Friend

 

(A villanelle inspired by David Hartsough)

Go, gentle friend, into that good night:

Blaze, blaze at close of day

You’ve been the change that brings the light,

 

Stood up with us to do what’s right,

Shown the world that love’s the way

With a smile that makes the dark seem bright

 

With a smile that puts all fears to flight

With songs that lift us, let us pray

That wars will vanish in the night

 

Vanish like a dream at dawn’s first light

As weapons of war are tossed away

Songs of peace bring pure delight

 

Smile at this amazing sight

This sunset leads to the milky way

Stars a-blaze in the dead of night

 

Then comes new dawn, and new delight

Old friends and new, what can we say?

Words can’t express this brave new light

So blaze, blaze at this good night!

 

 

This picture was taken last summer when we went with David to see the dahlias at Golden Gate Park. 

Give This Tuesday to Help Our Homeless and Low Income Neighbors Become Housed!

 

Dear Supporters and Friends of Making Housing and Community Happen (MHCH),

We had some great news this week: Heritage Square (the project we advocated for) is now fully funded and construction of 69 units of supportive housing for homeless seniors will begin here in Pasadena in six months! Our prayer vigils and other efforts have proven effective. Praise God!

Please support our efforts with a contribution on Giving Tuesday (and join our annual online celebration.)

Click here to donate.

Our annual celebration is called “A Change is Gonna Come” (based on the song by Sam Cooke). During our upcoming celebration you’ll see what we are are doing to create what Dr. King called “the beloved community.” We will share stories of those who are committed to housing justice and give our annual “Housing Justice Rockstar” award to Pastor Brita Pinkston (Pasadena Foursquare Church), Ed Washatka (Pasadena Housing Justice Coalition and Pasadenans Organizing for Progress or POP!), Rick Cole (former mayor of Pasadena, also with POP!) and Margaret Muñoz (Abundant Housing). You’ll experience powerful videos, inspiring testimonies, live music and more. Please join us for these joyous celebration of how God is at work in our community, ensuring that everyone has a decent and affordable home.  

 

Join us Tues, Nov. 30 at 7pm (online) 

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUudOytrTMjGNYE55OTpabhiDtB_ZzLjJE9

Sunday, Dec. 5th, 3-5:30 pm in person at 

Pasadena Four Square Church.

174 Harkness Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106

Pictured above is our dear friend Dorothy Edwards, homeless in  Pasadena for 17 years, who was housed in 2012 and joyfully celebrated Christmas in her own apartment. She is now a member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Supportive Housing that funds thousands of units of housing for homeless people. She has also been active with MHCH.

 

Confronting California's Affordable Housing Crisis Dr. Anthony Manousos: This Friday at ICUJP's Peace and Justice Forum

 

Please join us online ICUJP Friday Forum November 5, 7:30-9:30 am Pacific Courtesy of Anthony Manousos Confronting California's Affordable Housing Crisis Dr. Anthony Manousos Join videoconference here Call in by phone: +1 (669) 900-6833* Meeting ID: 894 3587 9739 PASSCODE: 217351 *Meeting controls for call-in attendees: To mute/unmute yourself: *6 To raise hand: *9 HELP END SYSTEMIC RACISM SUNDAY, NOV 7 4-6 pm Pacific RSVP NOW and join us online to help ICUJP create an interfaith network to fight systemic racism. What is being done to address the affordable housing crisis at the local and state level? Anthony Manousos, co-founder of Making Housing and Community Happen, will discuss how his organization is mobilizing congregations to address housing and racial justice. He will also discuss the California Comeback Plan and new legislation that promotes affordable housing statewide. Governor Gavin Newsom just signed 31 bills relating to homelessness and affordable housing that will have a major impact on our state’s housing crisis. The California Comeback Plan invests an unprecedented $22 billion in housing and homelessness. It also enacts significant zone changes such as SB 9, which will permit duplexes and fourplexes on single family lots. Another bill provides $100 million to low-income homeowners to help them build accessory dwelling units (ADUs), also known as granny flats. Our forum will look at how these and other bills will address the urgent need for affordable housing in local communities.  Schedule: 7:30 - 7:35  Log in and socialize 7:35 - 7:45  Welcome and brief introductions  7:45 - 7:50  Reflection (5 min. maximum) 7:50 - 9:15  Program and Q&A 9:15 - 9:20  Announcements 9:20 - 9:30  Closing circle and prayer ----- Start your morning with us! Reflection: Stephen Fiske Facilitator: Dave Clennon Zoom host: Michael Novick * Link to this week's agenda. *   ** Meetings begin promptly at 7:30 am Pacific. ** ----- Here's how to join the online meeting: To join by video conference, you'll need to download the Zoom app on your computer or mobile device. Click on the link to join the meeting and then enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You'll be able to see slides and video, as well as speakers and other attendees. If you prefer to join by phone, you'll be prompted to enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You won't be able to see the visuals or attendees, but you can view them on the meeting video recording afterward.  If you're new to Zoom and would like to use the video option, we recommend you download the app well ahead of time. ICUJP Friday Forum 11/05/21 Time: 07:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Option 1: Join videoconference here Meeting ID: 894 3587 9739 PASSCODE: 217351 Option 2: Dial in by phone only: +1 (669) 900-6833 US (California) Meeting ID: 894 3587 9739 PASSCODE: 217351 (To find a dial-in number closer to you, go here.) ----- Please note: Our Friday Forums and other events are open to the public. By attending, you consent to having your voice and likeness recorded, photographed, posted on ICUJP's website and social media, and included in ICUJP materials and publications for noncommercial purposes. If you don't want to be photographed or recorded, please let the facilitator know. UPCOMING FRIDAY FORUMS NOV 12: George Regas on activism - Grace Dyrness THANK YOU to all who joined us 9/11 for Pursuing Justice and Peace for 20 Years! WATCH VIDEO View tribute book "Why Didn't the World Listen to Him?" You are receiving this email because you are a part of the ICUJP Mailing List. You cannot reply to everyone through this email. If you wish to join the ICUJP discussion list, sign into Google Groups, search for ICUJP, and use the "Ask to join group" button. Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace To learn more about ICUJP, please visit our website.   Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace · 3300 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010, United States This email was sent to icujp-discuss-list@googlegroups.com. To stop receiving emails, click here. You can also keep up with Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace on Twitter or Facebook.

Meet the New Generation of Peace Leaders at ICUJP's Friday Forum: Shawntelle Augustine, Mark Mendez, and Dr. Susan Stouffer

 

Please join us online ICUJP Friday Forum October 29, 7:30-9:30 am Pacific Photo courtesy of SOLA Peace Programs A New Generation of Peace Leaders Shawntelle Augustine, Mark Mendez, and Dr. Susan Stouffer Join videoconference here Call in by phone: +1 (669) 900-6833* Meeting ID: 865 4014 5995 PASSCODE: 438283 *Meeting controls for call-in attendees: To mute/unmute yourself: *6 To raise hand: *9 HELP END SYSTEMIC RACISM SUNDAY, NOV 7 4-6 pm Pacific RSVP NOW and join us online to help ICUJP create an interfaith network to fight systemic racism What does it mean to walk with a generation of young people and their families as they grow into peacemakers and peace leaders? This is what we have been doing for the last 15 years through the Peace Programs of SOLA Community Peace Center in South L.A. Two of SOLA's young adult leaders - Shawntelle Augustine and Mark Mendez - will join us to talk about the impact these programs have had on their lives and answer questions. Dr. Susan Stouffer, Executive Director of SOLA and an ICUJP Board member, will also be present to discuss the programs and answer questions. Shawntelle Augustine is the Assistant Peace Camp Director and Mark Mendez is the lead Youth Teacher in Peace Camp for ages 11-13. Additionally, Mark was the Margaret Lindgren ICUJP Youth Intern for two years when he was in high school. Dr. Susan Stouffer founded SOLA in 2019, building on many previous years of work through the UUC Peace Center. The Center's mission is to offer life-transforming programs to create a more peaceful and just community and world. Young people, families, and community members, particularly those who are economically disadvantaged, are empowered to succeed in life through peace education, leadership skills, and self-development.    Schedule: 7:30 - 7:35  Log in and socialize 7:35 - 7:45  Welcome and brief introductions  7:45 - 7:50  Reflection (5 min. maximum) 7:50 - 9:15  Program and Q&A 9:15 - 9:20  Announcements 9:20 - 9:30  Closing circle and prayer ----- Start your morning with us! Reflection: Father Chris Ponnet Facilitator: Phil Way Zoom host: Rubi Omar * Link to this week's agenda. *   ** Meetings begin promptly at 7:30 am Pacific. ** ----- Here's how to join the online meeting: To join by video conference, you'll need to download the Zoom app on your computer or mobile device. Click on the link to join the meeting and then enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You'll be able to see slides and video, as well as speakers and other attendees. If you prefer to join by phone, you'll be prompted to enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You won't be able to see the visuals or attendees, but you can view them on the meeting video recording afterward.  If you're new to Zoom and would like to use the video option, we recommend you download the app well ahead of time. ICUJP Friday Forum 10/29/21 Time: 07:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Option 1: Join videoconference here Meeting ID: 865 4014 5995 PASSCODE: 438283 Option 2: Dial in by phone only: +1 (669) 900-6833 US (California) Meeting ID: 865 4014 5995 PASSCODE: 438283 (To find a dial-in number closer to you, go here.) ----- Please note: Our Friday Forums and other events are open to the public. By attending, you consent to having your voice and likeness recorded, photographed, posted on ICUJP's website and social media, and included in ICUJP materials and publications for noncommercial purposes. If you don't want to be photographed or recorded, please let the facilitator know. UPCOMING FRIDAY FORUMS NOV 5: Addressing California's Affordable Housing Crisis - Anthony Manousos THANK YOU to all who joined us 9/11 for Pursuing Justice and Peace for 20 Years! WATCH VIDEO View tribute book "Why Didn't the World Listen to Him?" DONATE HERE Passing the Virtual Bucket We can't pass the bucket in person, but ICUJP still needs your support. Please give as generously as you can: • On our donation page. You can set up recurring gifts too! • Use the Give+ app for iPhone or Android • Text a gift amount to 323-701-1467 • Send a check to ICUJP c/o Rod Sprott, Church-Biz, 1125 N Fairfax Ave #46836, Los Angeles 90046 Thank you! ---------- Help Support Families in Need The need for Immanuel Presbyterian's Food Pantry is greater than ever. Please donate here. Thank you! You are receiving this email because you are a part of the ICUJP Mailing List. You cannot reply to everyone through this email. If you wish to join the ICUJP discussion list, sign into Google Groups, search for ICUJP, and use the "Ask to join group" button. Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace To learn more about ICUJP, please visit our website.   Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace · 3300 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010, United States This email was sent to interfaithquaker@aol.com. To stop receiving emails, click here. You can also keep up with Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace on Twitter or Facebook.

In Memoriam of my childhood friend Jack Robertiello

 

I was flooded with memories when I heard of the death of my childhood friend Jack Robertiello, who became a the food critic and authored Mangia: the Best Italian Food in New York City. Jack and I were neighbors and grew up in an immigrant neighborhood in Princeton,  NJ. We lived in apartments that shared a tiny back yard where we used to play together as toddlers. My mother liked to tell the story of a time when she heard Jack crying and came out to see what happened. “We were making mud pies,” I explained. “Then why is Jack crying?” my mother asked. I explained, “He wanted to eat his mud pie and I stopped him!” 

As he grew older, Jack’s taste improved. He became “an expert in the worlds of wine, spirits, and mixology,” according to the NY Times obit. My family and his were very close, and we SHARED an immigrant background in common. My mother was Scottish and my father Greek. His mother was Irish and his father Italian.  We both honored our heritages in different ways-- I studied Greek and the Classics while Jack wrote book about Italian food,.

We were close but very different. He went to Catholic school and was turned off by religion. I went to a secular school and found religion liberating. When I married the daughter of a Presbyterian minister, Jack was my best man.

Jack was brilliant and received a full scholarship but dropped out of college. I completed my BA and went to graduate school. Despite a lack of higher education, Jack was incredibly well read and knowledgeable about a wide range of topics, from comic books, dance, film, music, and especially good food and drinks. As my sister noted, Jack was always interesting and fun to be around. He was charming, clever, and a “bon vivant.’ I remember learning from him the art of making mint juleps.

We often partied together when I was in grad school at the home of an eccentric actor and his wife. Jack tended to hang around “arty” people and I also enjoyed this world, which was a welcome break from academia.

I left Princeton to accept a teaching job, got divorced, and eventually became a Quaker and  moved to California, where I married a Methodist minister. 

At around the same time Jack married Andrea Mohin, a professional photographer, and moved to Brooklyn. He also found a way to use his gift for writing. He  became a food critic and consultant on fine wine and food.  We drifted apart,  inhabiting very different worlds. But I did see his family from time to time when I came home to visit my mother and sister.

When my mother was on her death bed, and I was sitting beside her, Jack’s mother Eileen came into the hospital room and I got up and hugged her. Eileen was like a second mother. As we hugged, we heard a gurgling sound from my mother—it was her spirit leaving her body. I felt my mother's presence hovering in the room  as I embraced Eileen, sobbing. I felt that this was the kind of parting my mother wanted. She left this world with her son in the arms of a dear friend.

I was saddened when Eileen and Rick, Jack’s parents, passed away in Princeton, which was too far for me to travel at the time. Jack and I never crossed paths during the past 40 years. We were Facebook friends but never communicated. I am sorry that I didn’t reach out to him while he was alive. I have been thinking what a blast it would have been to go with him to an Italian restaurant and take a journey down memory lane. I can't help smiling when imagining the look of shock on Jack's face he found out I'm a vegetarian and drink non-alcoholic wine!  I'm sure he would have had something interesting and witty to say on this subject.

I have learned an important lesson from my feeling of loss. Never take old friends for granted. Jack and his family will always be dear to my heart, and I will also remember his humor and joie de vivre. I hope that his family and friends will celebrate his life as he would wish--with good food and good wine and appreciation for a life devoted to family and to gracious living.

 

EULOGY FOR JOSEPH PRABHU, CHAMPION OF INTERFAITH PEACEMAKING

Today I was honored and humbled to give this eulogy for Joseph Prabhu, a distinguished scholar and a highly respected leader in the interfaith peace movement. I shared these words of remembrance at the Holy Family Catholic Church in South Pasadena, where Joseph's memorial service took place. If you couldn't make it and would like to share memories of our beloved friend in Christ, there will be a Zoom memorial:

Sunday, October 24^th, 2021

10am PST

 https://uclahs.zoom.us/j/95823300129

I want to thank Joseph’s family for inviting me to speak about this dear friend whom I came to know through the Parliament of the World’s Religion—an organization that he served both locally and at the international level. I’ve worked closely with Joseph over the years on interfaith peacemaking and was impressed by his deep commitment to social justice as well as to the life of the mind. He and I spent many joyful hours taking walks in Huntington Gardens and I was privileged to be at his bedside during his final days. He asked me to read from the psalms, as he had done for his friend Bill Lesher during his final days. Despite brain surgery, and shortness of breath, Joseph told wonderful stories about his amazing life. He spoke of his friends, his family, and his ideas about religion and politics. As his beloved nephew Jaideep Prabhu said, Joseph was an Olympic class talker. I would add, he was also an Olympic class thinker.

Born and raised in India and educated in Germany, Britain as well as in the United States, Joseph was an internationally known scholar, professor, and activist. He took his work but not himself seriously. He had a great sense of humor and loved to tease so I’d like to share an anecdote he told me during his final days. Joseph was giving a lecture in Belgium and decided to visit his high school principal, a Jesuit priest named Father Hincq , who was living in Brussels.

 Father Hincq was gracious and showed Joseph his year books and talked about Joseph’s classmates. As Joseph was about to leave, he decided to tease his former teacher by saying, "Do you remember how you once spanked me?" Father Hincq replied with a smile, "Not once, Joseph, twice."

Joseph also like to tell irreverent stories about being Mother Teresa's altar boy. It gets blazingly hot in Calcutta and Joseph fainted during a worship service.  As he regained consciousness, he felt a slap on the face and heard Mother Teresa say, “What are you doing, boy. Wake up!”  

Despite these awkward moments, Joseph remained committed to Catholicism all his life, although for many years he attended All Saints Episcopal Church because of its work around social justice and peace.  Joseph was profoundly influenced by Raimon Panikkar, a theologian who distilled the best of Christian and Hindu religious ideas. Like Panikkar, Joseph remained deeply Catholic while finding inspiration and value in all faiths.

Joseph was a brilliant lecturer who taught at more than seventy universities either as visiting professor or as guest lecturer in Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe and the United States, including at the universities of California, Berkeley and Chicago. For fun, I looked up what students at Cal State LA said about him, and I think he would appreciate this telling comment by one of his students: “I must say I found some of Prof. Prabhu’s lectures slanted. Do not take everything he says as fact. He is crazy liberal, and it shows. Considering that I am conservative, we clashed. I still got an A.”

Another student warned: “Do not take his class of you don’t like to think for yourself... Prof. Prabhu really makes you think about what you think you already know.”

I can’t imagine a better recommendation for someone who taught in the Socratic mode. When Joseph retired, his colleagues gave him a gift he was proud to show off: a mug with the French painter David’s famous depiction of Socrates discussing the immortality of the soul with his students after he had drunk the hemlock. Only instead of Socrates’ face, the mug had Joseph’s!

Joseph’s colleagues honored him in another way, by creating the Joseph Prabhu Memorial Lectures for Peace and Justice. This was appropriate since Joseph was passionately committed to human rights, Gandhian nonviolence, and what John Cobb called “eco-civilization.”   In an article published in Today’s American Catholic in April 2021, Joseph wrote: “The interconnected challenges posed by climate change, economic inequality, racism, sexism, and militarism—to mention just the most pressing problems—demand our intelligent and thoughtful consideration and action.” In this essay, one of his last published works, Joseph lifted up two of his heroes: the German theologian Hans Kung and Pope Francis. https://www.todaysamericancatholic.org/2021/04/dreaming-with-hans-kung/

Besides being an activist, teacher and public intellectual, Joseph was deeply devoted to his family and to his wife Betty. I was very moved to see the tenderness between Joseph and Betty when he was recovering from brain surgery. During this time, he often spoke with pride and affection about his daughter Tara. Joseph raised her as a single father, and it wasn’t easy. But Betty confided to me with great feeling, “Tara was God’s gift to Joseph.” I’m sure Joseph would agree. And I’m sure that you all would agree that Joseph was God’s gift to us and to the world. He has left behind a legacy and an example that will inspire and challenge us  and generations to come.

Video I made for Joseph's final birthday in March 2021: 

Videos of lectures by Joseph Prabhu: 

"Culture of Peace": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaEqEvJBSgM

"The tasks of religion in an emergent new axial age": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsPD9XGRoNo

Testimonials by friends of Joseph Prabhu

"Joseph Prabhu's Anatomy of Wisdom," an essay by Ruth Sharone: http://www.theinterfaithobserver.org/journal-articles/2016/12/10/joseph-prahbus-anatomy-of-wisdom

10th Wedding Anniversary Reflection for Interfaith Communities for Justice and Peace (ICUJP)

10th Wedding Anniversary Reflection for Interfaith Communities for Justice and Peace (ICUJP)

Jill and I celebrating when we learned that 
she as cancer-free!

What I want to share with you during my five-minute reflection is some happy news: Jill and I are celebrating our 10^th wedding anniversary today. We were married ten years ago on September 10^th  and delayed our Hawaiian honeymoon so we could attend the 10^th anniversary of ICUJP. Now we are scheduling our 10^th anniversary road trip so we can take part in tomorrow’s ICUJP celebration before we drive up to the Pacific Northwest.

As you can easily see, I  feel deeply committed to ICUJP. Y’all have become like family to me over the years. You mean so much to me it’s hard to put into words. I’m eager to hear what each of you have to say about 9/11 and ICUJP.

When I prayed about what I was going to say for this reflection, a passage from Paul’s letter to the Romans came to mind: “All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to God’s purpose” (Romans:28).

 What happened on 9/11 was horrific and evil, yet out of its ashes, ICUJP was born and the interfaith movement was revitalized. I became involved with interfaith work because I was so disturbed by the anti-Muslim reaction to 9/11 that I started going to mosques and getting to know my Muslim neighbors. I even fasted during Ramadan! This led me to the interfaith movement and to ICUJP. I can’t thank God enough for how my life was transformed by this beloved community!

9/11 was what Christians call a Kairos moment. According to Mark 1:14-15, Kairos is to extraordinary time when we are called to change inwardly. Additionally, Luke’s gospel reminds us that kairos is a time in which we’re required to change as a community and a people (Luke 12:54-56). Kairos is also a dangerous time. It is critical to recognize it, for if you allow it to pass the loss will be immeasurable.  As Paul says, it’s “time to wake up from your slumber”  (Romans 13:11-13). Paul also affirms that  Kairos time is here and now. It calls for action, conversion and transformation—a change of life  (11 Corinthians 6:1-2) — Kairos is not just crisis but also an opportunity and favor that God bestows on us. God assists us in discerning the kairos—a moment of grace.

My Mennonite friend Bert Newton felt called by the Kairos moment of 9/11 to start the Palm Sunday Peace Parade to demonstrate Jesus as the Prince of Peace. Each year a hundred or more people of faith would gather with palm branches in one hand and peace signs in the other to affirm that Jesus rode a donkey, not a warhorse, into Jerusalem to end war, according to the prophesy of Zachariah. As followers of Jesus, we are likewise called to be peacemakers.

As a Quaker, I attended these Palm Sunday Peace Parades in Pasadena for many years, never dreaming how it would change my life. Ten years ago, a Kairos moment occurred during this parade. While marching with my fellow pacifists, I met a remarkable woman named Jill Shook. We talked for a few minutes, found each other intriguing and attractive, and began an email correspondence. We went on three dates, and three weeks after we met, I proposed marriage to her on my birthday. She said “Okay”, and it was birthday present I ever received!

We both felt that our meeting was what Jews call “bershert” or destiny. During our marriage vows, we affirmed our belief that “the Prince of Peace had brought us together for a purpose greater than either of us could imagine.”

This has certainly proven to be the case.

As you know, we were led to found a housing justice nonprofit called Making Housing and Community Happen, and it is thriving beyond our wildest expectations. Over the last three years we have successfully advocated for 250 units of affordable and supportive housing. We’ve also had 50 churches contact us about having affordable housing built on their underutilized land. We have embarked on a campaign to have religious land rezoned to make this possible. This could be a game-changer and lead to thousands of affordable units not just in Pasadena but throughout our state, and the nation.

God has blessed me with many gifts, but by far the most important is friendship. I feel impelled to close with some sad news. Our dear friend Joseph Prabhu is in hospice. I have been privileged to visit him this week and can report that he is in good spirits. We’ve had great talks by his bedside and he has been comforted by my reading from the Psalms. He sends his love and greetings to us, and deeply appreciates what we are doing to promote justice and peace.

Joseph’s friendship, and most of all,  Jill’s love, are some of the many precious gifts that I have received from the interfaith movement. What a blessing it is to be part of the beloved community of those who are seeking to end war and poverty and all forms of injustice. May we never cease this beautiful struggle!

Coping with the Loss of a Loved One: The Poor Art Lover and the Rich Patron

 

 

Learning of my wife’s untimely death twelve years ago, a Friend wrote:  If I were you, I would be screaming at the heavens "How could you!"

Here’s a story that came to me when people asked if I were angry with God for taking my wife home sooner than we had hoped.

The Poor Art Lover and the Rich Patron

Once there was a poor man who lived in a very modest cottage. He loved art but could afford only to cut out pictures from magazine to decorate his home. He often sighed looking at the pictures on wall, admiring their beauty and wondering what the originals must look like. 

One day he heard of a rich man who lived on a hilltop and had a magnificent art collection. He learned that sometimes this man would lend one of his pieces to those who loved art.

Feeling that he had nothing to lose, he called the rich man and to his surprise and joy he received on loan a priceless masterpiece--a work far more beautiful than anything he'd ever seen or imagined.

For twenty years the poor man enjoyed this masterpiece and it brightened up his life immeasurably. It was so beautiful that he often invited friends over to see it, and they were impressed not only by the painting, but by the change in their friend. The longer he had the painting, the more joyful and gracious he became.

Finally, one day a courier came from the rich man saying it was time to return the painting.

The man was heart-broken and began to weep. Reluctantly he returned the painting.

His friends called him and asked, "We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Are you angry with the rich man for taking back the painting?"

"How could I be angry?" the poor man replied. "It was a loan, not a gift.  I never did anything to deserve such a masterpiece. I am sad, but I am also grateful."

The courier left a note from the rich man. It said, "I am sorry to take away what was so precious to you, but after twenty years, it needed some restoration work. After it is restored, it will hang in my mansion along with other masterpieces and someday you will be invited here to live with me and enjoy all my treasures. Meanwhile, enjoy these glasses. In loving friendship, Your Patron."

Puzzled by the note's conclusion, the poor man tried on the glasses and didn't notice any change in his vision. His room looked just as drab as ever.

Just then several of his friends showed up at his door to console him on the loss of his picture. They knew he must be feeling sad, so they brought him some food and other gifts.

When the poor man saw his friends through his new glasses, he couldn't believe his eyes. They were glowing with such radiance and beauty that he was overwhelmed.

From that point, the poor man no longer felt poor, but incredibly rich. He looked forward to the day when he would return to his Patron's mansion, and he wished that everyone could have glasses such the ones he had been given.