Hopelessness Is Not An Option

This was the point underscored by Bishop Mariann Budde at a conference earlier this year in Germany. Some 100,000 attendees from 80 nations converged for a discussion on faith, politics, and culture. Bishop Budde, an American Episcopal prelate who has served as Bishop of Washington since 2011 and oversees the National Cathedral in DC, addressed the conference. 

Her words are so profound:

“Our challenge: a culture of contempt that has normalized hateful speech and encourages violence. Actively promoted within and outside the US by those who benefit financially and politically from our divisions.   We are not made of stone—often discouraged and saddened by what we see around us. What is needed now is hope… Hope that we can stop the damage being done and work toward a society in which all of us, in our God-given diversity, can thrive. We must invest in what we believe in—to find shared ground and work toward common goals for different reasons. 

Pray daily for wisdom, strength, and grace. Hopelessness is not an option.”

Amen