A video about Inclusivity in Grand Junction

 

Chevra:  simply ask for joy

This past weekend, the People of the Book (or Ahl al-Kitāb)* celebrated an occasion of interfaith dialogue and cooperation experienced every 33 years! The rare overlap of Easter, Ramadan, and Passover presents the possibility of truthful and just unity on this shared religious journey.  The convergence of Passover, Easter, and Ramadan occurred alongside the Sikhs’ and Hindus’ Vaisakhi, the Jains’ Mahavir Jayanti, the Baha’i Festival of Ridvan, and the Theravada Buddhist New Year.  The diversity in our faiths, journeys, and identities unifies our humanity and joint fight to preserve everyone’s dignity.   Our Muslim brothers and sisters celebrate and honor Ramadan, 30-days of deep spiritual reflection, rejuvenation, gratitude, and giving during this month. As we uplift the joy and sacrifice of our community members, we must also do our part in supporting our neighbors, friends, colleagues, and comrades as it is also a time of holy fasting from sunrise to sunset! Our Jewish brothers and sisters are counting the Omer, beginning on the second day of Pesach (the Passover) and ending on Shavuot. the fiftieth day afterwards.  Shavuot is celebrated as the occasion of  the giving of the Torah. While Passover is the beginning of the process of liberation, Shavuot, as a harvest celebration, becomes a celebration of the completion of the liberation process.  We move from the mentality of slaves to the mindfulness of a free people. Christians celebrate the Pentecost on the fiftieth day after Easter.  The first 40 days after Easter Jesus spent on Earth before his Ascension.  During these 40 days, Jesus prepared his disciples.  The next 10 days are the observance of the time between Jesus' Ascension and the appearance of the Holy Spirit on the fiftieth day (Pentecost) after Easter.

Here’s how you can support our Muslim Brethren:  Be mindful of the workload of practicing Muslims this month. As allies, we must ask ourselves how to better support our colleagues during this time Make space and grace for prayer times that may conflict with meetings or assignments. Prayer times vary by location, so ask to accommodate. Respectfully acknowledge Ramadan in meetings and at events. Learn about the connection between Islamophobia & anti-Blackness (anti-Africanness). Don’t assume that someone is fasting.  Give to causes benefiting Muslim communities

This is a time for us all to reflect on how we can center Muslim communities. Ask yourself: How are Muslim communities impacted by the issues I stand in solidarity with? Are they visible in my work, or are they erased? How can I do more?   In Power and grace, *Note -- People of the Book include the Abrahamic religions, traditionally Judaism, Christianity and Islam Take the pressure off, simply ask for joy If you’re more like me, where you see the cup as half empty and joy doesn’t come ‘naturally,’ you can ask for God to grant you joy. David prayed “Restore to me the joy of your salvation” (Psalm 51:12). Perhaps this can be your anchoring prayer during this festive season.