What is the point of continuing to read, study, and practice contemplative prayer in the midst of one of the most important conversations about racial injustice America has ever experienced? What is the point of one white man guiding you through the writings of another white man? I’m learning the painful lesson that my voice and leadership are not important right now. It’s time to listen to our black and brown teachers and leaders. I’ve wrestled with postponing this journey with A Sunlit Absence even with the exciting plans to host two online Q&A sessions with Fr Laird. Here are two reasons why I invite you to continue (or begin...it’s not too late) with A Sunlit Absence:
1. If we are to sustain our activism, we need a consistent source of peace, healing, and spiritual and emotional nourishment. Contemplation offers us help as Covid-19 and the killing of George Floyd (preceded by many others) are taking a toll on our mental health. Contemplative prayer has been called “Divine Therapy.”
2. With the work that is before us to face racism as a country, the invitation is to see myself and how I am part of the problem. Contemplation can be described as centering prayer; however, if you attend to it in a substantial and an extended way, contemplation can aide in a de-centering journey. Contemplative prayer can dislodge our egos and aid our capacity to listen to the black and brown voices that we must turn our attention to.
As we continue with a Sunlit Absence, I want to offer three challenges to you:
Challenge #1: Commit to practicing contemplation daily for the duration of the time we are reading, studying, and practicing A Sunlit Absence. The first time I really dove in, it was in response to Ruth Haley Barton challenging me: five minutes a day of wordless prayer for a whole year. The wisdom is that shorter, consecutive, daily practices of prayer are more fruitful than longer, sporadic practices.
Challenge #2: Commit also during this time to daily study, discussion, and doing something tangible that engages the sickness of racism in America, what Dr. King described as America’s original sin.
Challenge #3: Tell someone about your intention to these daily practices, or even better, ask someone to join you in a daily practice of contemplation and to engage with you in the conversation on racism.
Be safe, and Peace of Christ to you, Josh
Below are a few resources to learn more about racism. I will continue to update a list of resources on this page: https://www.invitationpodcast.org/facing-racism with the help of my wife, Susanna Childress. And please feel free to submit your recommended resources as well.
Resources on racism
Quick, deep dive videos:
Bryan Stevenson: There’s a Direct Line From Lynching to George Floyd | Amanpour and Company
Poor People's Campaign: How Rev. William J. Barber Uses His Faith To Fight | TIME
Why “I’m not racist” is only half the story | Robin DiAngelo | Big Think
Robin DiAngelo on "White Fragility" | Amanpour and Company
Films:
Just Mercy - FREE to watch for a limited time on Amazon Prime
Books, essays, and more to come at this link.
Watch a video invitation to this new series