There has never been a more important time for Unitarian Universalists, and all the loving ethical people of this world to act out their values. My Grandfather Hegvik, who was a wise and gentle man, loved these words from the Hebrew Scriptures: "What does God require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8]

After the awesome turn of events in New York City, in Washington DC and in Pennsylvania, I have spent some time contemplating Justice. Clearly for the writer of the book of Micah above, kindness and justice are not incompatible. I do not understand Justice to be synonymous with retribution. But what does justice mean in a context where so outrageous and violent an act has been committed? There is no equal and opposing act to restore things to perfect balance. What does justice mean if we imagine it meted out by the United States who has so often been an agent for injustice in the world community and on our own soil? Perhaps the nature of justice is not a mathematical tally of who did what to whom, but a restoration of balance. This is a time for us to do justice in the world.

We have heard stories of volunteers rushing into collapsing buildings, or driving miles into the city to provide their expertise, to offer what resources they could. Each time I hear a new story of the lengths to which people have gone for one another, my eyes overflow with tears at the beauty of such generosity. But the kindness that is called for from each of us goes beyond the relief effort. It is the daily act of remembering the humanity of each person in this world, whether they live in New York City or Afghanistan. We must remember that each human being feels pain, twists in the chaos of tragedy and loss, needs food, a safe bed and dreams for the future. When I think of raising my infant son Nick in this new world, knowing he carries my hope for the future, I recommit myself to making sure he is raised in the heart of compassionate family and community that he may grow up to love kindness and shape his world accordingly.

As a ordained minister I struggle to make sense of recent history, to offer comfort to myself and those around me, and to act where I am able. Yet what we touch on here is bigger than any one person, or even any one nation. These events lay before us life and death, issues of why and how we will live together. Because we are all interconnected, the way we implement our values will shape our children's future. The vastness of this tragedy and its implications for the future are inconceivable. In this time of tremendous change, let us be humble before all we cannot understand. With great humility we stand with those who have lost so much, and with those who hold the fate of our world in their hands.

Justice, Kindness and humility: these are the values of a dearly loved grandfather, and the prophet Micah. What are your values? How are you living them out, right now?

Darcey