February 17, 2019
The unifying themes of this program are justice, love, learning and hope. The messages come from sermons and readings from Unitarian-Universalist sources. The program title comes from a beloved Unitarian-Universalist hymn, “Spirit of Life,” which includes the words, “Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion” and “Move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.”
The Heart and the Hand Music Hour moves to 1pm. Tune in for modern music on spiritual themes.
Commentary
Written by Orlando Montoya
Three months ago, I started a new diet and fitness routine. I’ve lost weight. I feel good. But last week, after several nights binging on online fitness videos, I concluded two things. First, religion has nothing on conflicting experts claiming to have all the secrets. There might be as many “muscle bros with cameras” as Internet evangelists. Second, where the experts disagree on minor points for advanced practitioners, at my beginner’s level, all are in consensus. For three months, I’ve been doing it all wrong, all wrong. I won’t get into the details. But, I was disappointed with myself. First, for not consulting with experts before I started. And second, for how basic my lack of knowledge was. It made me think, Where else had I gotten it wrong in my life: my career choices, relationships, financial decisions. Big doozy mistakes. Fortunately, a few days into this mental body punch, I remembered a phrase: “Begin again in love.” I knew it was a UU phrase, but I couldn’t remember from where. Turns out, it’s a litany in our hymnal. The choir sings it sometimes. It was written by a contributor to this show, the Rev. Rob Eller-Isaacs of Minneapolis. The whole phrase is: “We forgive ourselves and each other. We begin again in love.” We will get it wrong. It won’t always be small or correctable, like my gym choices. None of us has all the secrets. No diet plan, fitness program, career track, friend or financial guru is going to give us infallible knowledge. Our best outcome in this life is compassionate understanding, continual education and another chance. I’m changing my routine. I’ll certainly change it again. For all our mistakes, big and small, personal and societal, remember always to forgive yourselves and each other. Begin again in love.
Sermon
“The Art of Possibility” (1/6/19)
Rev. Doug McCusker
Unitarian-Universalist Church of Fredericksburg, Virginia
Sermon
“A True History of Fake News” (10/21/18)
Rev. David Breeden
First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, Minnesota
Sermon
“The Grace of the World” (4/22/18)
Rev. Rob Eller-Isaacs
Unity Church Unitarian
Sermon
“Me Too, Now What?” (1/21/18)
Clare Fortune-Lad
Unitarian-Universalist Church of Haverhill, Massachusetts
Braver Wiser
Used by permission of Braver Wiser, a publication of the Unitarian-Universalist Association
Quest Monthly
Used by permission of Quest Monthly, a publication of the Church of the Larger Fellowship
UUA Statements
Messages from the Unitarian Universalist Association
Natural Silence
Used by permission of ListeningEarth.com
UUA Principles and Sources
Our liberal faith as defined by the Unitarian Universalist Association
World Religions
Written by Orlando Montoya
Interfaith Calendar
Written by Orlando Montoya
UU FAQ
Written by and used by permission of John Sias from interviews with Rev. Steve Edington
Published by the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Nashua, NH
