Okay, friends.
Have a lovely one.
Today's newsletter is free to read. It reflects on the dangers of worrying about how you might look while doing good works in the world. We have a long, judgmental tradition that many have weaponized, by accusing people of "boasting" if they talk publicly about how they show up in their communities.
It's bad counsel, which causes us to censor conversations that we sorely need more of, to truly heal ourselves and the world.
https://open.substack.com/pub/mlclark/p/good-worldly-practice-starts-at-home
Thanks for taking the time to read the piece, Kat, and to extend such lovely wishes for the day! 🤗 Many happy things and happenings for you, too, all the year through!
Another great piece to read!
Thank YOU :)
❤️ 🤗🤗 @MLClark
🙏 I was reminded of a MASH episode in which Winchester's Matthew-inspired xmas giving tradition is spoiled by a local who takes his candy and sells it to feed the children instead. There are so many layers of complexity when it comes to giving, whether it occurs in secret or in public.
What mattered most in the end was the conversation between Charles and the local that resulted in C becoming more genuinely attuned to the humanity around him.
0:58 ⬇️
And you know, speaking of recognizing people's basic humanity and worth, no discussion of giving, in public or private, is complete without a significant nod to the question of why we have to give in the first place.
#NewYear'sMood
https://onlysky.media/mclark/when-will-ubi-studies-translate-into-better-policy/
Oh, GREAT episode, and key lesson.
There's a key follow-up to this concept that I try to live out where I can: I ask people before I go into the store to buy food what it is their household needs. Many are so unused to having any choice that it takes a little while for them to have the courage to say what they really need - but it always makes a difference when they do. Thanks for reading, Lise, and thanks for bringing such a perfect connecting lesson to us all. 🤗
@MLClark What a beautiful gift of reflection you have gifted us on your birthday!❤️🙏❤️ My gift to you is a voice from far back in time, Aquinas. In article 9, objection 2, the objector raises the Matthew6 issue you raise here. Aquinas responds: “Secondly, almsdeeds deserve to be rewarded eternally, through the merit of the recipient, who prays for the giver, and it is in this sense that Augustine is speaking.” So your friend who you helped with food, helped you with prayer❤️ https://www.newadvent.org/summa/3032.htm
Thanks for reading and for sharing JGSchaeffer! That's what makes this place so beautiful: we bring the fruits of our different life experiences and cosmologies to the table, so that we're all a little richer for the feast. ❤️🤗
@MLClark Yes! I so enjoy sharing these serendipitous connections, literal webs of thought both across space, like ours here, and across time with parts of the web woven long before us! I hope you had a fantastic birthday full of heart and soul!❤️🥳❤️
@MLClark wonderful read...
Sharing this on your birthday was such a beautiful gift. Did you mean to give it to us or yourself or both. After reading the article I think "both". Hope your birthday was as delightful as you are. Thank you!
Aw, yes, we are different here, and you raise some great points and good for thought.
And, Happy Birthday, you beautiful human!
♥️🌹 I hope your day is filled with lovely happy things & happenings! 🌹♥️ @MLClark