This is a sermon I gave Sunday April 28 at a service held at the encampment for Gaza at Princeton University. The service was organized by students from Princeton Theological Seminary.
Dr. Martin Luther King convinced the young me that Jesus Christ is real and most relevant. You reassure the 80 year old me that Christ is present, working through you and myriad young people, here and around the globe, living and preaching the beatitudes --even if they have not heard them. I am grateful for you All. May you have peace amidst the travail.
OMG Chris!! yet another brilliant brilliant talk. You say what so many of us are trying to say but words fail us. Thank you thank you thank you. Why do some people fail to understand those simple truths about life? I will read this and memorize it. It gave me a push I needed to continue because I was beginning to lose even the will to live. This, for me, is a message of hope and so much love and compassion. It makes me want to continue and to feel I am not alone. I am mad, but in a good way - the sublime madness in the soul. Thank you - may God bless your heart and keep you strong.
This inspired Sermon, will stand the test of time and for the historic times we are witnessing all over the world. Chris, Thanking you for what our Australian Indigenous - (despite losing the Referendum for inclusion in our country’s Constitution!)
This indeed is ‘truth telling’! As it washes away all the filth and white noise thrown at us! The inverted democracy Sheldon Wolin writes about! Thanking you humbly for your ‘truth-telling’ as public intellectual that communicates the consequences of ‘truth’ yes, as it ripples across our lives. May our humble Jesus protect you, your family & all you hold dear. ‘For those that have ears to hear’ we recognize honesty when we hear it. God give you His strength Chris, as you have been born for a time such as this. Emanuel 🕊
On another matter, you mentioned once (I think it was a podcast) regarding Walter Rauschenbusch.
Regarding what religious Historians call ‘the Great Reversal’ that Rauschenbusch actually had a campaign against him involving the wealthy ‘Christian’ industrialists at the time defaming him, that he had ‘lost the gospel’ or that Rauschenbusch had gone ‘liberal’? I am one of your paid subscribers, so hopefully you can contact me via email.
Sorry, I forgot to add Rauschenbusch here in Australia is used to defeat evangelicals getting involved in social reform - Do you have any historical references that support the campaign against this incredible Theologian in “Hells Kitchen”? I didn’t know how else to contact you, I’m sorry.
There must be an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Pope Francis has said what is needed, now he must do what is needed by going to Gaza and standing for peace, justice and freedom.
Let us also support UNRWA. If our governments won’t act in accordance with humanity, then we will. https://www.unrwausa.org/donate Let us do it to honor Aaron Bushnell, or in memory of Hind Rajab.
These are a few small things we can do. If we can do more, let us do more.
Thank you Chris for your profound words and to Eunice for reading them. Beautiful sermon. A lot of the reason I don’t attend church is there isn’t enough of this kind of teaching in the churches these days, imho. I believe Jesus was a person of color, of the Jewish faith and of Palestinian birth. One will not hear this in any mainstream churches today, especially one that is evangelical which in a lot of cases stands to mean Christian Zionist.
I have no idea why anyone would need religion in order to act in honorable ways. If it helps some people to do that, great. I rather suspect such a person would act in the same way without it.
As a non believer I resonate with your comment. That doesn't stop me from admiring and following Mr. Hedges. I recognize that he is one of the very few who actually practices his belief. So many are drawn to a religion/faith out of fear, social and other superficial reasons. His writings are inspiring and educational, as is his life. An expression I rarely use, Bless him.
Dr. Martin Luther King convinced the young me that Jesus Christ is real and most relevant. You reassure the 80 year old me that Christ is present, working through you and myriad young people, here and around the globe, living and preaching the beatitudes --even if they have not heard them. I am grateful for you All. May you have peace amidst the travail.
Susan Hope
OMG Chris!! yet another brilliant brilliant talk. You say what so many of us are trying to say but words fail us. Thank you thank you thank you. Why do some people fail to understand those simple truths about life? I will read this and memorize it. It gave me a push I needed to continue because I was beginning to lose even the will to live. This, for me, is a message of hope and so much love and compassion. It makes me want to continue and to feel I am not alone. I am mad, but in a good way - the sublime madness in the soul. Thank you - may God bless your heart and keep you strong.
This inspired Sermon, will stand the test of time and for the historic times we are witnessing all over the world. Chris, Thanking you for what our Australian Indigenous - (despite losing the Referendum for inclusion in our country’s Constitution!)
This indeed is ‘truth telling’! As it washes away all the filth and white noise thrown at us! The inverted democracy Sheldon Wolin writes about! Thanking you humbly for your ‘truth-telling’ as public intellectual that communicates the consequences of ‘truth’ yes, as it ripples across our lives. May our humble Jesus protect you, your family & all you hold dear. ‘For those that have ears to hear’ we recognize honesty when we hear it. God give you His strength Chris, as you have been born for a time such as this. Emanuel 🕊
Dear Chris,
On another matter, you mentioned once (I think it was a podcast) regarding Walter Rauschenbusch.
Regarding what religious Historians call ‘the Great Reversal’ that Rauschenbusch actually had a campaign against him involving the wealthy ‘Christian’ industrialists at the time defaming him, that he had ‘lost the gospel’ or that Rauschenbusch had gone ‘liberal’? I am one of your paid subscribers, so hopefully you can contact me via email.
“He is with us, and He is not silent” .
Thanks again,
Χριστός Ανέστη 🕊
Sorry, I forgot to add Rauschenbusch here in Australia is used to defeat evangelicals getting involved in social reform - Do you have any historical references that support the campaign against this incredible Theologian in “Hells Kitchen”? I didn’t know how else to contact you, I’m sorry.
Stupendous. Timely. Stirring. No middle ground. Not Gazan or Israeli. Human or inhuman. Murder for profit. No more. 🙏
The growth, development, creation, of the ethical/moral self can lead to the most interesting and passionate peace.
There must be an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Pope Francis has said what is needed, now he must do what is needed by going to Gaza and standing for peace, justice and freedom.
Please sign the petition and share widely.
https://chng.it/CRQ7qw4Gzn
Code pink
https://www.codepink.org/cnngaza?utm_campaign=12_15_pali_update_alert_3&utm_medium=email&utm_source=codepink
Let us also support UNRWA. If our governments won’t act in accordance with humanity, then we will. https://www.unrwausa.org/donate Let us do it to honor Aaron Bushnell, or in memory of Hind Rajab.
These are a few small things we can do. If we can do more, let us do more.
Thank you, Chris Hedges.
Very emotional piece
Amazing piece
Thank you Chris for your profound words and to Eunice for reading them. Beautiful sermon. A lot of the reason I don’t attend church is there isn’t enough of this kind of teaching in the churches these days, imho. I believe Jesus was a person of color, of the Jewish faith and of Palestinian birth. One will not hear this in any mainstream churches today, especially one that is evangelical which in a lot of cases stands to mean Christian Zionist.
Wow...again. Thank you, Chris, for pulling it together & illuminating truth. And, Eunice, you read it so well! Thank you both.
I have no idea why anyone would need religion in order to act in honorable ways. If it helps some people to do that, great. I rather suspect such a person would act in the same way without it.
As a non believer I resonate with your comment. That doesn't stop me from admiring and following Mr. Hedges. I recognize that he is one of the very few who actually practices his belief. So many are drawn to a religion/faith out of fear, social and other superficial reasons. His writings are inspiring and educational, as is his life. An expression I rarely use, Bless him.
Powerful.
Most profound and touching💔
In response to the question asked -
Where were you?
Many will simply say..I don’t remember and some may possibly even say it was just another routine day for me.