the Web Editors

"Dissimulation, half answers, vindictive attitudes, a false presentation of self are all barbs in the soul of the monastic. Holiness, this ancient rule says to a culture that has made crafty packaging high art, has something to do with being who we say we are, claiming our truths, opening our hearts, giving ourselves to the other pure and unglossed." - Joan Chittister from The Rule of Benedict

Today is May Day – an historic day of protest and action for the working class. This year, in light of the Occupy movement, many are hopeful of the resurgence this day can bring in the fight for national against economic injustice. 

“We've forgotten that a rich life consists fundamentally of serving others, trying to leave the world a little better than you found it. We need the courage to question the powers that be, the courage to be impatient with evil and patient with people, the courage to fight for social justice. In many instances we will be stepping out on nothing, and just hoping to land on something. But that's the struggle. To live is to wrestle with despair, yet never allow despair to have the last word.” - Cornel West from, The Impossible Will Take a Little While

God, we pray for the student protests happening in Quebec -- for peace between the police and students, and for humility for all involved. Lord, maintain a spirit of peace over the escalating violence so that civil discourse will still be attainable. Amen.
 

Over the weekend, the (seemingly) perennial fire-starter and certifiable wingnut Terry Jones, pastor of the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Fla., a 50-member self-proclaimed Christian congragation, made good on his threats to burn a copy of the Muslim holy book, the Quran, in what he said was a protest of the ongoing incarceration of a Christian pastor in Iraq.

You may recognize Jones from his infamous 2011 Quran burning, one that federal authorities and President Obama personally attempted (in vain, sadly)  to prevent the wrong-headed from what many critics feared would only serve to perpetuate further anti-American violence by so-called Islamic extremists and terrorists around the world.

This time, Jones claimed to be stoking his fires of unrest on behalf of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, a Muslim convert to Christianity who has been imprisoned by the Iranian government for nearly three years on charges of apostasy and reportedly is facing execution for his "crimes."

The Gainesville Sun newspaper reports that this weekend's Quran burning, which also included an effigy of Islam's Prophet Muhammad set aflame, took place in front of 20 spectators outside Jones' church, and the whole incident was broadcast live on the Internet.

Promise Of The American Dream Is Broken (OPINION) — The Gospel According To Paul Ryan — Horrors We Hide — Study of the Day: Even the Religious Lose Faith When They Think Critically — Ecowas To Send Troops After Mali, Guinea-Bissau Coups — UN Deliberate Sanctions On Rival Sudans — How To Get Food On Every Table.

"Like splendid palm branches, we are strewn in the Lord’s path." - Latin Antiphon

A Hearing And Rallies Over A Law In Arizona — Other States Watch For Arizona Immigration Ruling — As Poverty Shrinks, Should We Worry About Inequality? — Can You Be Honest With Me? — Religion A Key Factor In Determining Support For Obama Vs. Romney — Pat Robertson: Christians Bullying LGBT Kids In School Is Wrong — Franklin Graham Calls For U.S. Airstrikes On Sudan — Europe’s Austerity Recession — Nuns Gone Wild — Exxon Makes $104 Million In Profit Per Day So Far In 2012, While Americans Are Stuck With A Higher Gas Bill — A Farewell To Superpowers.

God, the rocket attacks in Syria remind us of our brothers and sisters there who live everyday in fear. Comfort the families of victims and give them peace. Bring peace to the whole country. Change the hearts of those in power. Give wisdom and discernment to the international community as they think of ways to peacefully intervene. Amen.