The Secular and Sacred of Health Care Reform

The current level of un-civil discourse in the United States concerning health care reform is utterly terrifying.  The daily images on television -- protestors carrying “Death to Obama” signs, members of Congress lynched in effigy, images of our President portrayed as Adolf Hitler, a “funny” skit on Fox News about poisoning House Speaker Nancy Pelosi -- what on earth is going on? Kudos to Republican U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) who had the courage yesterday to condemn those within her own party who are using such vile scare tactics. And shame on anyone else who doesn’t speak out at every opportunity against this truly dangerous fringe lunacy.

Facing a personal health care crisis is terrifying in and of itself, even without the burden of thinking about health insurance coverage.  The pain of adding that burden is unimaginable. A dear friend and spiritual advisor, Rev. Jane Gould, very recently shared a soul-stirring poem with me. In these frightening times, irrespective of your personal faith tradition, I hope these words also touch and move your spirit. 

God speaks to each of us as he makes us,

Then walks with us silently out of the night.

These are the words we dimly hear:

You, sent out beyond your recall,

Go to the limits of your longing.

Embody me.

Flare up like flame

and make big shadows I can move in.

Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.

Just keep going.  No feeling is final.

Don’t let yourself lose me.

Nearby is the country they call life.

You will know it by its seriousness.

Give me your hand.

-Rilke