happy birthday mr. gandhi! because of your wonderful example of non-violence, the UN named this day “the international day of non-violence” ( https://www.un.org/en/observances/non-violence-day )
here is quote from gandhi:
“Non-violence is a weapon of the strong… We may never be strong enough to be entirely nonviolent in thought, word and deed. But we must keep nonviolence as our goal and make strong progress towards it.”
not unrelated is jesus’ teaching in his sermon on the mount (mt 5:9):
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
gandhi also made this astute connection:
“Poverty is the worst form of violence.”
living non-violence as an ideal and standing against all forms of violence– especially poverty– are ways of love. may the guardian angels watch over all who suffer the effects of violence in the world
let us pray:
Provident God,
aware of our own brokenness,
we ask the gift of courage
to identify how and where we are in need of conversion
in order to live in solidarity with Earth and all creation.
Deliver us from the violence of superiority and disdain.
Grant us the desire, and the humility,
to listen with special care to those
whose experiences and attitudes are different from our own.
Deliver us from the violence of greed and privilege.
Grant us the desire, and the will, to live simply
so others may have their just share of Earth’s resources.
Deliver us from the silence
that gives consent to abuse, war and evil.
Grant us the desire, and the courage,
to risk speaking and acting for the common good.
Deliver us from the violence
of irreverence, exploitation and control.
Grant us the desire, and the strength,
to act responsibly within the cycle of creation.
God of love, mercy and justice,
acknowledging our complicity
in those attitudes, action and words which perpetuate violence,
we beg the grace of a non-violent heart.
Amen.
from: https://spsmw.org/prayer/sisters-of-providence-litany-non-violence/
for more, check out: https://paxchristi.net/2021/09/21/2021catholic-nonviolence-days-of-action/
Art and Sol Podcast ... Random Musings 
This is such a timeless poignant issue.
Living here in Prescott is sometimes like living in Georgia. Insert eye roll here.
When people hear I have never fired a gun in my life they are usually shocked and often laugh at me. They also offer to get me started.
That’s a no thanks.
Our whole family and extended (in laws -outlaws ) whatever you want to call them hunt years except for Steve and I .
I can’t say that I mind the gifts of Elk since it is delicious but I could never pull the trigger or release the arrow. We found out last year our oldest grand Morgan couldn’t take the perfect shot when it presented itself either. She just couldn’t do it and her Dad was so great about it, no belittling.
That’s really a whole separate issue though and is truly more humane than slauterhouses.
The worst weapon of violence and harm is the tongue imo.
Thanks for the inspiration for our morning rosary Fr. Art.
I m so happy, after 43 years of marriage my hubs Steven is saying the rosary with me daily and is a LOM auxiliary.
😉
Have a beautiful day
Hugs to your sweet mama.
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becca, you made my day with this wonderful message– thank you! actually, living in prescott gave me a healthy respect for the need for guns. if i were a rancher trying to keep the coyotes away from my livestock, a gun would be needed at times. but assault rifles in urban area make no sense
violence happens in many ways. and you are right, the tongue inflicts it. cyber bullying is just the 2021 version of it.
it warmed my heart to read that your husband is praying the rosary with you in the LOM. things do happen in their right times and places. isn’t the Spirit amazing that way?
i suppose that the first reading (Gn 2:18-24) from today’s mass with have new meaning for you both
thanks for remembering my mother– thanks be to God she is doing fine and might outlive me at this point!
have a agape-filled day, becca!
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Thanks for this observation Fr. Art.
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can’t go wrong by walking with gandhi… have a wonder-filled day don!
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Beautiful prayer 🙂 Ty Fr.
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the sisters of providence wrote it, donna. they ran the hospital in seattle that my mother worked for many years. i have always had an affinity for these wonderful women! have graced day
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