Making Sense Of It All (JC)

 
Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions
MEDITATION XVII.
NUNC LENTO SONITU DICUNT, MORIERIS.
Now this bell tolling softly for another, says to me, Thou must die. 


Meditation 17 of Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, written by the poet John Donne, has been quoted by UUs, scholars and Statesmen from across the globe.  It is the second to the last paragraph of the meditation that is most often used:

"No man [person] is an island,  entire of itself; every man [person] is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were;  any man's [person's] death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind [humankind], and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." 

The subtitle of this poem says it all.  The writer is a man contemplating his mortality and  immanent death--the meaning of life.  But if you go deeper you discover that he is also realizing that he is a part of something much larger than himself--THE WHOLE.   

We are reminded in our First and Seventh Principles that we are individuals who have worth and dignity but we are also a part of something greater than ourselves--COMMUNITY.

Donne and our principles help us to see that we are not separate and isolated beings, rather we are communal creatures with some individual preferences.  You get it?  We are "a piece of the continent a part of the main."   That's the interdependent web existence.  But don't forget what Donne says next...  "any person's death diminishes me because I am involved in humankind."  I am "involved" meaning I am a participant in life's joys and sorrows and I, like you, know what it means to love and lose, succeed and fail; we are in this together.  James Marler said in his blog reflecting on John Donne's meditation:   

"It is not simply true that another man’s death diminishes me; but an injustice to another person is an injustice to me; physical harm to another is harm done to me...by extension, whatever responsibility is given to the one harmed is placed on my shoulders as well."


I feel diminished and partly responsible today. I am diminished and partly responsible for the lives lost in the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, perpetrated by another troubled young American.  A part of the collective human soul was murdered that day and I feel the pain, despair and aura of deep sadness hovering the American skies.  When I heard the news and listened to President Obama's response I wept as many of us did.  These types of situations are occurring far too often in recent years.  

I feel like I have not done enough to work against gun violence in America.  I like most Americans believe acts like these are anomalies--they are, statistically speaking.  However, if we understand the core of Donne's words we are all effected and affected by these kinds of tragic events.  We are stopped in our tracks and must pause, cry, mourn, and then I believe we must do something. I'm glad to hear that President Obama is doing something!

For now I am pausing for the holidays.  I don't have any nifty response.  I wish I did but I don't. I am meditating, praying and thinking about the families who lost loved ones. I'm thinking about my life, those I love and how thankful I am to have them in my life another day. I encourage you to do the same. 
  

Sometime in 2013 I'm going to be working with groups that recognize that something must be done to eliminate the use of assault weapons.  Also, together we've got to figure out how to properly treat mental illness of soldiers (past and present), youth, young adults and whomever needs treatment in this country.  We must get serious about these two issues. 

The debates over guns, violent video games, bad parenting and the like are already happening.  But, for me, it's time to stop and stare. I leave you with a prayer.  Page #86 in our gray hymnal "Blessed Spirit of My Life."  May these words give you the comfort you need over the next few days and weeks...

"Blessed Spirit of my life, give me strength through stress and strife; help me live with dignity; let me know serenity.  Fill me with a vision, clear my mind of fear and confusion.  When my thoughts flow restlessley, let peace find a home in me.

Spirit of great mystery, hear the still, small voice in me.  Help me live my wordless creed as I comfort those in need.  Fill me with compassion, be the source of my intuition.  Then, when life is done for me, let love be my legacy."

May it be so,

Amen.

Rev. John