The Road Through Paris: Journey blog 1
December 1, 2015
Joan Brown,osf
I am always amazed by the miracle of flight, for birds and for featherless humans, like myself. Without feathers, I am in flight from Albuquerque to Paris for the Conference of Parties, (COP 21) UN Climate meeting.
Last night we had a very moving Interfaith prayer beginning with a walk from the federal building to Immaculate Conception Church. Our walk was in solidarity with the millions of climate related refugees and immigrants. Our prayers in the church brought Jewish, Sikh, Muslim, Buddhist, Protestant and Catholic brothers and sisters together in our suffering, hopes and calls to action. We sang and prayed and danced and lit candles and decided to speak out for the Green Climate Fund and a Renewable Energy Tax Credit for New Mexico by making calls to our political leaders.
Yesterday afternoon, a piece in the National Catholic Reporter quoting Pope Francis stated, “Every year, the problems are more grave,” adding that politicians have so far “done little” to address the situation. “We are at the limit,” said Pope Francis. “We are at the limit of a suicide, to say a strong word.” But he added: I have trust; I have trust that thee leaders will do something, because I would say I am sure they have the good will to do it. And I wish that it will be so, and I pray for this.”
As I travel to COP21 it is this message of reality illuminated with the light of hope in action. The following prayer, shared at the interfaith Prayer on Monday night by the Buddhist Dharma teacher, Kathryn Turnipseed also travels with me.
A Path for Warriors by Margaret Wheatley
We are grateful to discover our right work
and happy to be engaged in it.
We embody values and practices that offer us meaningful
lives now. We let go of needing to impact the future.
We refrain from adding to the aggression,
fear, and confusion of this time.
We welcome every opportunity to practice our skills
of compassion and insight, even very challenging ones.
We resist seeking the illusory comfort of certainty
and stability.
We delight when our work achieves good results
yet let go of needing others to adopt our successes.
We know that all problems have complex causes.
We do not place blame on any one person or cause,
including ourselves and colleagues.
We are vigilant with our relationships, mindful to
counteract the polarizing dynamics of this time.
Our actions embody our confidence that humans can get
through anything as long as we’re together.
We stay present to the world as it is with open minds and hearts,
knowing this cultivates our gentleness, decency, and bravery.
We care for ourselves as tenderly as we care for others,
taking time for rest, reflection and renewal.
We are richly blessed with moments of delight, humor,
grace, and joy. We are grateful for these.