The Example of Peace, Respect, and Democracy

Jesus said: "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." John 13:15

What is your position? Why are you doing this? What is the point? Aren't you just causing trouble? These are the same questions that Christ faced during His ministry. And He often frustrated the questioners by confusing them further, with parables or His own questions. Then He went back to being a teacher and exemplar, just as much in what He did as what He said.

We're following Christ in this way, as are many of the Occupation. The point isn't to demand something, get it, and then go home. The point is to show people the Way to live that gives us life, joy, and allows us to flourish as who we all are: the children of God. And that Way is lived, as Jesus shows us over and over again.

He turns no one away, and neither does the Occupation. He fed everyone, and so does the Occupation. He proclaimed love and non-violence, and so does the Occupation. He healed the sick, spoke with everyone, heard their stories, shared their lives, and stood in defiance against those who hid behind the law in order to harm and exclude. So does the Occupation.

An update from Protest Chaplain Julia Capurso:

Yesterday was the first time I shouted, "This is what democracy looks like!" and felt that I was truly living that democracy, not just shouting it. After squatting at Occupy Boston Friday night, I awoke into a democratic, egalitarian community. Our sacred space, which began as a spread of blankets and sleeping pads, has been upgraded to a large tent. The space is now collectively held as truly sacred through prayer, meditation, yoga, reiki healing, chant, song, reflection, laughs and tears.

For me, this is the opportunity of a lifetime -- to live into my social, political, and economic ideals through nurturing and participating in the diverse spirituality expressed by so many others.

I hope that those of you who have not had an opportunity to become part of this community do make the time to experience the love here. The tent alone is not a sacred space, though it takes only one person sitting in prayer to provide silence for another.