Faith Voices: Rev. Bich Thy (Betty) Nguyen – Hymn for the Hurting

Poet Amanda Gorman stated that she wrote this poem after the massacre in Uvalde, Texas. This poem reminds me that we are in this together.

Poet Amanda Gorman stated that she wrote this poem after the massacre in Uvalde, Texas. This poem reminds me that we are in this together.

"Go to the people. Live with them. Learn from them. Love them."

Might we have the discipline to utilize the gifts of our traditions to transcend the downward trend, bringing hope and inviting healing to those around us as we care for ourselves and care for the world.

"God bless our contradictions, those parts of us which seem out of character."

Our various faith traditions compel us to love, care for, and seek justice for each other, regardless of where we were born. But our immigrant communities and siblings continue to live in fear and without proper protection from harmful decisions.

We are being accosted at every turn with hate speech, antisemitism, unconscionable acts against innocent people and people in power doing nothing. Where do we find hope during a season when many of our faith traditions speak of hope?

“For though my faith is not yours and your faith is not mine, if we each are free to light our own flame..."

“The church is not called to become a community of psychiatrists; it is called to become a community of persistent, patient love."

At times these days we can feel helpless and frustrated because of our state of perpetual crisis. We can see it as a time of transition or a time of transformation.

We recognize the brokenness of our world and the brokenness within ourselves. We also recognize that the suffering this causes is not borne equally.