Heart Revolution
Thursday, January 01 2009 @ 11:25 AM PST
Social justice activist, Dorothy Day once said, "The greatest challenge of the day is how to bring about a revolution of the heart, a revolution which has to start with each of us." Its the beginning of a new year and many of us are making out our resolution list. Can you imagine if we all had a heart revolution resolution? What would that look like? The Babemba ethnic group of South Africa has a kindness ritual that goes like this: When a member of the tribe acts irresponsibly or unjustly, all work in the village ceases. This person is asked to sit alone in the middle of the village where everyone forms a circle around the accused. Do they pick them apart and proclaim their guilt? Do they point out their faults for all to hear?
One by one, each villager gets their chance to approach the accused and instead of berating or chastising - they sing their praises. Sometimes it takes several days before each villager has had a chance to speak of the offender's virtues, talents, and past accomplishments in detailed length. Once all villagers have said their affirmations there is a great celebration over accepting the offender back into the community. This is the sort of heart revolution Paul spoke of in Galatians 5, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." May the new year bring compassion and kindness into our hearts that we might extend it to others. - S.N. Belmonte
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