Romans 12:17-21 Do not be overcome by by evil, but overcome evil with good

 Romans 12:17-21 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

If he is thirsty, give him a drink;

For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. NKJV)

Jesus weeps! Carla

My heart hurts. And feels very soft. Maybe you can relate?

It is as if the nervous system of our country continues to fray.

We need a paradigm shift. As long as it’s win or lose, it is compulsory to be stronger—bigger, meaner or badder.

But what if? What if this life is about “We”? Being on this journey together, where there is no “us versus them”.

Where we say “No” to places where people are diminished, or marginalized, or seen as negligeable.

So yes. Please hear this: Having a soft heart in a cruel world is courageous.

It is choosing empathy over judgment,

understanding over dismissal,

and compassion over retaliation.

It is carrying care, when the world expects callousness,

and offering trust, when betrayal is common. 

To be sure, healthy boundaries will still be needed in some situations and relationships, but even then, this can be done with what John Paul Lederach describes “audacious and tender tenacity”. (Thank you, Carrie Newcomer)

Let is not forget that “Tenderness is the path of choice for the strongest, most courageous men and women. Tenderness is not weakness; it is fortitude. It is the path of solidarity, the path of humility,” as Pope Francis reminded us.

And I take a deep breath and smile big. Okay, back to our paradigm shift. We have a new way to see the world.
When we see with our heart, we are grounded, vulnerable and authentic.
Meaning, we are conscious—present—no longer numbed (by distraction, or elucidation or the addition of whatever it is that we need for the life we needed to “earn”).
Okay, my homily today:
One. From a soft heart, compassion wins.
For starters, when we see with our heart we don't give in to fear.
And Two. A soft heart can hold life’s brokenness and pain, and not be undone by it.
“To remain soft in a world that punishes tenderness is a choice few dare to make. It is saying, ‘I will not become someone I am not to survive.’ Life will knock us down, and it will demand that we harden ourselves just to keep walking. Yet those who refuse to armor up understand that authenticity is not weakness, it is power. Softness is courage incarnate. It is the willow bending in the storm, the phoenix burning to ash only to rise anew.
Yet, in such a tough and hurtful place, you need to remember who you are. You need to continue to spread passion and an essence of goodness, despite the under appreciation and maltreatment you receive. I want you to know that there is nothing wrong or bad about being softhearted. In fact, hold the remembrance that being kind and sincere makes you unique.”
(Thank you Obnews.co—Staying Soft Is a Choice of Radical Authenticity)

Yesterday, my day began with the weight of worry. And I could hear the words to the song, “War. Huh. Yeah. What is it good for?”

So, down to our garden I go. And I see the blooms of our Crocus. Three inches in height, their flowers as little cups—or, like little chalices—offering that respite of grace, and sustenance, and hope. I stop, kneel, and pay homage. And I remember Jim Harrison's great line; Paying attention is only game in town. And I know that to pay attention you must be present. I can tell you that I am mesmerized, and delighted, nonetheless. And there is something about wonder and awe that helps lessen the debilitating weight of worry.
And, yes, to be present, it sure helps to see with a soft heart. “Sabbath Moments” Terry Hershey