Comments on: Moving Forward with the Impossible

By: Roy Corral

Roy Corral — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 18:34:49 +0000

Here is my impossible task — Violence has now become such a daily occurrence in our neighborhoods and across the world that not a day goes by that we don’t hear news of senseless killings. Guns have been blamed. Mental illness has been blamed. The Constitution’s Second Amendment has been blamed. There is so much blame. We’ve been kicking this can down the road for a long time now. Meantime, lives continue to be lost at the hands of those who do not value human life, much less their own. We see the horror on television, newspapers, social media … it’s everywhere we look. We’ve now heard the common line, “I thought this would never happen to us!” Anyone, anywhere can be touched by the hand of violence. Family’s continue to grieve for the loss of their sons, daughters, fathers and mothers. This issue has been politicized, and the arguments are fierce, and still nothing happens. The violence continues as it has from one month to the next, one year to the next, one millennia to the next. What is to be done? What do we do as a nation, as a community … and most importantly, as an individual? What is the resolution to this problem? I am profoundly confounded … every day.

By: Rebecca Johnson

Rebecca Johnson — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 16:02:00 +0000

In reply to Roy Corral. Beautifully said, Roy, and such an encouragement. Thank you.

By: Roy Corral

Roy Corral — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 06:01:22 +0000

Faith. It is the one thought that resurfaces each time I think about the degradation of the earth as a result of human impact on the natural cycle. In my confusion to attempt to understand the cause and effect of severe climate change on our planet, which often leads me to a sense of despair, I think about Faith. One of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received came from you, Rebecca Johnson, when you once read to me Jeremiah 29, and I heard for the first time the words … “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” My life dramatically changed as a result, and I am grateful beyond explanation. I have concluded for myself that I am but a microcosm of the earth, and my heart tells me that Jeremiah 29 also speaks of Mother Earth. That is not to say we do nothing and rely on Faith alone to resolve this grave calamity we’ve caused as a result of human materialistic greed. On the contrary, we must rally all our talents and energies to work individually and collaboratively in whichever way we are led. It is through great efforts of what may seem like futile attempts, combined with prayer and intention that will turn the tide. Will it be in our lifetime? I don’t believe it will be in mine. But you and I, and others of the same mind, will have planted some seeds of change for our children, and for their children to tend and affect the course of life on earth. That is my hope for the future.