Fr. John Dear's Sermon on the Lesson of the Burmese Monks

by Karita Hummer









Remember and honor the Burmese Monks by learning the lesson they are teaching us. Prize our liberty and use it to help the world.


Cross-posted from John Edwards Blog

http://blog.johnedwards.com/story/2007/10/6/33656/7005


Fr. John Dear's Sermon on the Lesson of the Burmese Monks

user icon Karita Hummer in Quick Posts Feed of
10/06/2007 at 8:58 PM EST



Fr. John Dear is a very inspiring peace activist. Fr. Dear always quite eloquently calls on us to express our moral beliefs in justice and peace through community activism.

Yesterday, he wrote about the beautiful example the Buddhist monks of Burma have been for the world. The Burmese monks who bravely stood up to the repressive regime in Burma gave a lesson to all of us who would want to bring justice to our country and the world. There is a time to stand up and be counted. They did so, and with their blood, gave the world precious inspiration.

In the spirit of Ghandi and Martin Luther King, the Monks demonstrated their love and devotion to the cause of justice.

Just as John Edwards quoted Martin Luther King, there comes a time when "Silence is Betrayal". In their sacrifice, the Burmese monks stood up for justice for the people of their country, and, indeed, for us all, and in this way kept faith with people everywhere.

Let us remember them.

Fr. Dear ended his article with these comments:

"And so what to do? Surely pray for the Burmese monks and civilians behind prison walls. Pray for Burma's liberation and for the return of the noble Aung San Suu Kyi. More, join the growing chorus to pressure China, host of the next Olympics. Demand that China work for an end to Burma's repression. Call for sanctions against U.S. oil companies operating in Burma, beginning with Chevron. Study the situation (see www.irrawaddy.org and www.buddhistnews.tv). Support solidarity groups (see www.uscampaignforburma.org and www.burmacampaign.org.uk).

Most of all, take to the streets. March for peace. Put your spirituality of peace on display. Emulate the marching monks and practice creative nonviolence down Main Street, America, and say, like them, No to occupation, No to injustice, No to war. And fund the peace movement, not the war machine. Then turn your begging bowl upside down.

As "the Lady" (Aung San Suu Kyi) pleads, let's use our liberty to promote theirs." Rev. John Dear, The Martyrdom of Burma's Marching Monks
by, Published on Thursday, October 4, 2007 by CommonDreams.org

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007 10/04/4308

It is the spirit of activism from a deep and moral center, insistence on justice in all matters, and reverence for human rights that must infuse the next Presidency in America. This is why I feel at home in the John Edwards campaign: hoping for peace in the world, and justice and human rights for all, here and everywhere.

America must become the standard for such a cause.

Karita Hummer
San Jose, CA
SCV 4 Edwards, Co-Captain

"Come join us in electing John Edwards President!"