BROKENNESS
Unitarian Universalism is a religious tradition promoting a strong sense of empowered optimism. It lifts up humanity's strengths, encouraging and empowering us (in the spirit of Mohatmas Ghandi) to "be the change" we wish to see in the world. Unitarian Universalists are quite adept at recognizing and responding to the brokenness of the world. Working to heal our institutions of social, economic and political brokenness, of inequities and injustices, is widely recognized and celebrated as more motivating and productive than emphasizing personal shortcomings (aka "sins").
It is an interesting fact that lots of people are inspired to become Unitarian Universalist for this very reason. However, there is something to be said for honest appraisal of those areas in which we may feel "broken", vulnerable, uncertain or in need of healing. Sometimes those places are actually the answer to why we might find it difficult to engage meaningfully in the healing of the world at large. It can be a vicious cycle.
According to Christian tradition, pride is what prevents us from recognizing or acknowledging the places of our individual and collective "brokenness", of our vulnerabilities and shortcomings. More importantly, it can prevent us from reaching out for help or with help.
The ancient Greeks called this "hubris". In 590 AD Pope Gregory highlighted it in his list of seven deadly sins because it seems to lead to so many other issues that can inhibit our experience of wholeness.
Whether or not pride is a "sin" in the usual sense (with repercussions beyond this life), when it prevents us from acknowledging and healing our individual and collective wounds and weaknesses, we do ourselves and the world a grave disservice. So this month, within the context of religious community - this place of "empowered optimism" - may we bring honesty, courage and compassion to ourselves and one another. May that which is broken be healed and made whole.
Unitarian Universalism is a religious tradition promoting a strong sense of empowered optimism. It lifts up humanity's strengths, encouraging and empowering us (in the spirit of Mohatmas Ghandi) to "be the change" we wish to see in the world. Unitarian Universalists are quite adept at recognizing and responding to the brokenness of the world. Working to heal our institutions of social, economic and political brokenness, of inequities and injustices, is widely recognized and celebrated as more motivating and productive than emphasizing personal shortcomings (aka "sins").
It is an interesting fact that lots of people are inspired to become Unitarian Universalist for this very reason. However, there is something to be said for honest appraisal of those areas in which we may feel "broken", vulnerable, uncertain or in need of healing. Sometimes those places are actually the answer to why we might find it difficult to engage meaningfully in the healing of the world at large. It can be a vicious cycle.
According to Christian tradition, pride is what prevents us from recognizing or acknowledging the places of our individual and collective "brokenness", of our vulnerabilities and shortcomings. More importantly, it can prevent us from reaching out for help or with help.
The ancient Greeks called this "hubris". In 590 AD Pope Gregory highlighted it in his list of seven deadly sins because it seems to lead to so many other issues that can inhibit our experience of wholeness.
Whether or not pride is a "sin" in the usual sense (with repercussions beyond this life), when it prevents us from acknowledging and healing our individual and collective wounds and weaknesses, we do ourselves and the world a grave disservice. So this month, within the context of religious community - this place of "empowered optimism" - may we bring honesty, courage and compassion to ourselves and one another. May that which is broken be healed and made whole.