The Moral Outrage of Oil Consumption

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote of the responsibility of all men in a free society (Heschel insisted that in a free society where some are guilty, all are responsible) in "The Moral Outrage of Vietnam".

"It is weird to wake up one morning and find that we have been placed in an insane asylum while asleep at night. It is even more weird to wake up and find that we have been involved in slaughter and destruction without knowing it."

The words may be about Vietnam, but there is a taste of crude oil in it when I hear it. There is a truth to the weight I feel when I wake up and remember that my need for fuel and energies of fuel has been responsible for the fuel leaking into the Gulf right now. I am the one responsible. We are all responsible.

People of faith - particularly the religious leaders - should be making more noise about this tragedy. Can't we see that the "waters are turning to blood" again. We have seen this before, this type of destruction and greed. We have allowed too much "fast technology" to tread in areas they obviously have no business treading.

There should have been a few - if not more - viable options on standby for such a hideous occurrence. Have we learned nothing from the Exxon Valdez incident.  This oil leak is not a spill, this is a horror. The religious leaders should be down on the Gulf calling people to fast and pray, begging for an answer and challenging people to put on sackcloth and ashes and call on God. There should be no silence.

Fast from one meal a day and call on God for an answer and a repairer of the rig. Pray the arterial surgeons would share how they stop arterial leaks with these oil hounds. Pray that people would be able to clean up the horrible affects of oil and for the countless people whose lives will be altered beyond recognition.

Fast and Pray because of this moral outrage - and don't sit still.  Get others involved.

Ciao!

TJM +

Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity

I want to share a quote with you that has deepened my understanding of the passion living inside theologians and prophets.  It is by Abraham Joshua Heschel - the most passionate and God-loving theologian of this century.  Heschel understood the connection between mysticism and social action.  I first read this book  a dozen or so years ago, when his daughter published these essays - with a superb introduction of the man - her father.  


Heschel is a prophetic figure.  He embodies the desire and activism of a prophet.  He reminds me of Mother Maria of Paris.  this quote was taken from a telegram Heschel sent to President John F. Kennedy just before attending a religious leaders' summit.  Listen for the personal sacrifices he is willing to make and asking the President to request of the religious leaders.  Who among our religious will stand this tall, this honest in front of the president - and still maintain a humble demeanor, with no rancor? 


"I look forward to privilege of being present at meeting tomorrow. Likelihood exists that Negro problem will be like the weather. Everybody talks about it but nobody does anything about it. Please demand of religious leaders personal involvement not just solemn declaration. We forfeit the right to worship God as long as we continue to humiliate Negroes. Church synagogue have failed. They must repent. Ask of religious leaders to call for national repentance and personal sacrifice. Let religious leaders donate one month's salary toward fund for Negro housing and education. I propose that you Mr. President declare state of moral emergency. A Marshall plan for aid to Negroes is becoming a necessity. The hour calls for moral grandeur and spiritual audacity." - Abraham Joshua Heschel


We need men and women of this caliber today.  We need folks who will fast, pray, march and protest and merge their words with the passion of a Heschel.  We need to eradicate many more social injustices.  Take courage from Rabbi Heschel, and STAND UP.


Ciao!


TJM+

If you have never read Heschel...today you are invited.  The link to purchasing the book of essays this quote comes from is above, on the left.  He also wrote God In Search of Man, Man is Not Alone, I Asked for Wonder.