READINGS
Ethical Mirrors and Models
San José First Unitarian Church
July 17, 2016
A Feminist Ethic of Risk
By Sharon Welch This is not a call to guilt; it is an appeal to the possibility of conversion, the hope that people will value the intent to do good more than the appearance of having done so, that they will be genuine in their pursuit of justice, that they will be willing to see and correct patterns of acting and thinking that are actually counter to the ends we all hold dear. An ethic based in love for self and for others can provide self-critique and social critique without the enervating cynicism of the eschatological reservations. A deeply felt, abiding love is the foundation for a resilient, dynamic hope without the fanaticism and idolatry of a revolutionary vanguard. We are moved to moral action by love and hope, not by guilt or duty. It is painful to learn that we have caused others harm, either as individuals or as members of a dominant social group. Change occurs when the response to this knowledge is not guilt, but repentance, a deep commitment to make amends and to change patterns of behavior. Such changes are not losses but gains, opportunities to live out our love and respect for others. (Read by Rev. Lindi Ramsden) |
Oneness - Great Principles
Shared by All Religions By Jeffrey Moses and Mother Teresa Inner life is the basis for outer activity. A person's actions are the mirror of the inner self. For this reason, when one achieves an understanding of the spiritual aspects of human life, then he or she spontaneously acts in a manner that encourages and supports similar development of this knowledge in others. We need look no deeper than a person's outer activity to see the degree of inner spiritual achievements. Our activities and our success are based on our inner strength and wholeness. To grow, it is necessary for us to recognize and correct our own faults. Yet it is difficult to do this since we hide our shortcomings not only from others but from ourselves. When we gain the ability to recognize and correct our own bad habits, we begin to make rapid strides toward greater happiness and success in all spheres of life. (Read by Greg Larson) |