MEDITATIONS

Seeking an Understanding by Dr. Calvin Wood After the November election and recent developments, I have felt the need to understand my fellow Christians who are characterized in the media as Christian Nationalists,…

Where Do You Look for the Help You Need? by Kekoa Harmon, PhD “E leleha aku au i ko‘u mau maka i na mauna, ma laila mai ko‘u kokua e hiki mai ai.”…

Queen Liliuokalani’s Response to the Overthrow by Sheron Leihuanani Bissen Queen Liliuokalani’s Prayerful Response to the Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893 was her hymn, “Ke Aloha A Ke Akua,” sung on…

Damien From “Kalaupapa in Poetry” by Taka Harada Solitude and pain were his companionsWalking the path of the Suffering Servant.How difficult to fathomthe great sorrow he felt,The lost and aimless lives he encountered,No…

Leading with a Servant’s Heart by Taka Harada As I watched the United States’ leadership transition take place this week, the difference in leadership styles could not be more profound. We pivoted from…

The Bible’s Virus of Violence by The Rev. Wayne Ibara For nearly a year now, the world has been afflicted with the Covid-19 pandemic. But another virus has also been all too active,…

San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus “God Help the Outcasts” (from “40”) On World Aids Day under the direction of Tim Seelig WORLD AIDS DAY annually calls us to remember the loss of a…

Dr. Ilse-Mari Lee Comfort and Encourage Each Otherby Dr. Ilse-Mari Lee And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as…

Rev. Dr. Robert W. Nelson The Labyrinthine Path of Life From the Editor: Rev. Dr. Robert W. Nelson (read manuscript below the video) recalls his life’s pathway which has led him to “turn…

Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld A Prayer for Chanukah Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights, invokes in me both the need to fight for our freedoms, and a warning against zealotry. To keep these in…

The Rev. Kealahou Alika Let Us Heed the Call to be Pono I looked at Mary Kawena Pukui’s book of Hawaiian proverbs and poetical sayings (‘Ōlelo No‘eau) and came across her entry of:Ua…

Ellen Caringer, PhD We Believe Last night, Taka and I steppedoutside shortly after dusk to observethe aligning of Jupiter and Saturn,an event that won’t occur again inover 800 years. I watched in awe…

Harry Koizumi A Blessed Christmas to All Please enjoy a Hawaiian-style version of “Silent Night” provided by our friend, slack-key artist, Harry Koizumi. When we asked Harry Koizumi for a bio, he modestly…

Terry Lynn Moore A Personal Kwanzaa Story December 26–January 1, my family observes Kwanzaa, a celebration of African heritage, unity and culture. Since DNA scientifically confirms we all share the same genetic roots,…

San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus Merry Everything to You! “If Faith is the path to love and kindness,Why are we all at odds?…We all need a little Joy;The time for Peace is overdue.In…

Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld Honoring Our Veterans Eight days after Election Day, November 11, 2020 will mark the 102nd anniversary of the cease fire that ended World War I. The next year, President Woodrow…

Linda Kavelin Popov Be As One Soul O CHILDREN OF MEN! Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder…

Ali Youssefi One Tree Enjoy this video performed by 88 Baha’i musicians from 25 countries around the globe! The text of their song is based on holy words written by Baha’u’llah, and set…

John O’Donohue For Courage When the light around you lessensAnd your thoughts darken untilYour body feels fear turnCold as a stone inside, When you find yourself bereftOf any belief in yourselfAnd all you…

Rev. Dr. Robert Nelson Living in the Waiting Moses went up on the mountain and spoke with God. But while he’s up there dealing with important stuff, the people wait—and then wait some…

Ginny Tiu A Prayer for Election Day Pianist Ginny Tiu shares this particular song, “The Prayer,” because “we certainly NEED that – now, on (Election) Tuesday.” Ms. Tiu has performed professionally throughout the…

Lisa Sharon Harper Shine Your Light A poem – a prayer for Election Day 2020 by Lisa Sharon Harper We are on the brink.Standing at a precipice called “the unknown” we gasp.Air fills…

Rev. Neal MacPherson The Gift of Silence At certain times in my life, when all that was taking place in the world or within myself became unsettled and chaotic, I have turned to…

Rev. Ben Daniel America Joins the Human Family I should start by acknowledging that I wrote this reflection on November 2, a day before election day when the biggest uncertainty of 2020 may…

Takayuki Harada Light After Darkness After every darkness, there will be lightAfter every darkness, there IS lightLet it illuminate every cornerOf every dark moment we have experienced Light penetrates every shadowIt reveals everything…

Rev. Dr. Roxanne WhiteLight Choose Love I find that since the political conventions in August I have been using my meditation time mostly to diminish my generalized anxiety. The insight I received was…

Alice Faye Pluriel (“Plural”) “The world is plural, we are plural, we have to find the way to live together, curious, the one of the other. And avoid physical violence.” EDITOR’S NOTE: Today’s…