A friend, Sarah, once taught me: “Remember, Greg, we’re talking about real people, real bodies.”
We were talking about homelessness, but she was teaching me a general life lesson, that choices and words and policies and actions have consequences for real people and their real bodies, that they matter.
I’ve thought about it regularly since she said it to me.
I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately.
I think about it when I read news about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, when I hear the news from Texas about trans kids, when I see the news from Florida about the “don’t say gay” law. The list goes on, and my heart aches for the real people and real bodies involved.
I’m one of those people who prays, and I have taken direction from Steven Charleston, Native American elder, author, and retired Episcopal bishop:
I have been praying for peace. I know you have too. Not only in Ukraine, but in all the countries of the world experiencing conflict. Peace to every land that faces stress, crisis, tension, or struggle. Peace to every community that searches for justice, reconciliation, and restoration. Peace to nations suffering from natural disasters and trying to rebuild. Peace in the hearts of leaders who can resolve the divisions between human beings. Peace to those of every faith who pray for peace and work for peace. Peace in the kinship of hope between us all. Peace for our elders and our children. Peace in our minds and in our hearts. Peace to all living things. Peace, we pray, peace.
I am reading on Twitter, “Pray for Ukraine.” By all means, yes. If you’re someone who sends good energy, or has a different approach, do it.
I’m also praying for the clarity and courage about how I can respond. What are the things I can do to protect and support real people and their real bodies? Right now they are literally being torn apart. This is true about Texas and Florida, too. It’s true wherever there’s conflict, struggle, injustice, suffering. I pray for those involved, and I try to pray for my response.