An amazing extemporaneous commentary – and though I am Jewish, I find the words echo in my heart with their truth.
“I’m a Jesus-loving blues man in the life of the mind.
I’m a Christ-centered Jazz man, which means that I do try to take, quite seriously, the endless quest for unarmed truth, understanding that a condition of truth is to allow suffering to speak. So I don’t even think about trying to be true unless I’ve tried to enact and embody a sensitivity, even a hyper-sensitivity to the pain, the suffering, the hurts, the wounds, the scars, the bruises of people.
That deep compassion that you not only talk about, but that you embody…
Just. Bear. Witness. Be a sermon rather than give one. You don’t even need to talk about humility; just be humble. You know, a couple of months ago in the States, we had a sustained discourse on civility; and you know, I thought – why don’t you just be civil? Why do you have to have…
View original post 981 more words
Very powerful. I especially like these lines: “Just. Bear. Witness. Be a sermon rather than give one. You don’t even need to talk about humility; just be humble.” I used to see Cornel West around campus when I was at Princeton–amazing mind. Thx for sharing this, dear friend…. Xox, l
I too was drawn to those lines…and the reverence he has for people as a way of life. Xox, m
WLS. Powerful.
What does WLS mean? Yes I am a Neanderthal…
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
AND NOW FOR A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW!!!!
GUESS WHAT???? As one of my most faithful Readers on my blog…and still on OUR POETRY CORNER!!!!…You’ve been nominated for an award! http://bythemightymumford.wordpress.com/2013/06/27/an-award-presentation/ 🙂 Don’t worry about the time limit…but you can refuse. Hope you don’t. Thanks for being an appreciative friend!!!!!
Thank you for finding and posting this again, since I missed it the first time. His words are deeply meaningful and grounding. He also reminds us that he is redeemed even though he sometimes still struggles with his gangster past. Love, so simple and complex, is the root of his redemption.
This was a great way to start my day!
Have a great one. Xo
You too Fran – a great day and a happy weekend!!
Very powerful Mimi, thank you for passing it along!