I had two profound experiences that led me to the same conclusion.
First, on Monday morning was the Arizona Faith Network’s annual gathering. Over 200 Interfaith leaders, lay people, and community leaders were present to share the good works that we were each doing and to celebrate the accomplishments of the interfaith community. Each year, I know more and more of these wonderful people and each year, I am adding a few more as trusted colleagues and friends. AFN truly works to be diverse in its leadership, membership and faith traditions—with Indigenous, Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist colleagues being just a few with whom I spoke. We had the opportunity to talk about what unites us in these divided times: justice, peace, equity, and love.
Second, on Tuesday evening was our Blue Holidays service. Each year, this is one of my favorite things that we offer. It is easy to offer joy and peace to those for whom the holidays is joyful and peaceful; it is a true gift to offer comfort, acceptance, solidarity and grace to those for whom the holidays are complicated, grief-filled or difficult. Each year, I am reminded that we have no idea what is happening in each person’s inner landscape and that we all just need to be kinder to each other.
What is the conclusion? That as many of us start to head into the bustle of the holiday season, to remember that many don’t celebrate this holiday or can’t celebrate it as they would wish. As someone who hasn’t even started Christmas shopping yet, it was a good re-calibration for my own expectations and understanding.