Published: Nov. 20, 2020
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Dear Friends,
On November 13, 2020, my local newspaper, The San Mateo Daily Journal, published this guest opinion that I wrote. I would like to share it with you:
In Healing the Heart of Democracy by Quaker Parker Palmer, he describes our current political moment as one where the heart of America has splintered and broken apart leaving our society divided against itself. Our hearts can heal if we allow them to break open with compassion and love for our opponents instead of breaking apart in sorrow or anger. I’ve suffered many heartbreaks as America moved through one tragedy after another, but worshipping with a community who listen to the Divine with hearts open to other people of all kinds has given me the faith and confidence that we can heal and be whole. Quakers listen to and appeal to “that of God in everyone” and the “inward Light of Christ”—that is, to that spirit of goodness in the heart and conscience of every person. I ask, can I help myself and others heal the wounds of division by first listening deeply to what my neighbors are saying and hear their hopes and dreams for the country we all love no matter our political preferences? Can I look deeply into my heart and speak and act on my truth with compassion, love, and conviction “answering that of God” in everyone?
from Jerry L. McBride, San Mateo Quaker Worship Group (11/16/2020)