MONDAY, April 4

Psalm 89:1-18. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and truth go before your face.

One of my defining moments came during a game of prison pickup basketball. There were about twelve of us, and though I was no franchise player, I was one of the three best players in the gym that day.

As the “draft” hit the middle rounds, I could hear a couple of the people already picked—people who had played with me before—telling the two guys picking, “Hey, man, pick the old white dude; he can play ball,” which was met with a string of expletives describing their distaste at picking “that [expletive].”

I was not chosen. As I sat on the sideline, deserving to play (based on my ability), my mood shifted from a raging boil to a more pensive simmer. It was in this brood that I realized I had just experienced what it felt like to not belong to the dominant culture and the accompanying sting of discrimination. True, this was a microcosm, but a poignant moment nonetheless.

Discrimination—by no means a thing of the past—is worthy of our rage. Today the Episcopal Church honors the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I thank God he was able to harness his rage to lead us all toward a brighter tomorrow.

PRAY for the Diocese of Mumbai (North India)

Ps 89:1-18 * 89:19-52; Jeremiah 16:10-21; Romans 7:1-12; John 6:1-15

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
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Apr 04, 2011 at 6:52 am

Written by Elizabeth,

I am a former prosecutor from Oklahoma. I was fortunate enough to read your first series of meditations. When the month ended (I believe it was October of 1995)I cried. Thank you for touching my life then and now. It is an honor to have this chance to learn from you again.

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Apr 04, 2011 at 7:19 am

Written by Bo Cox,

Thank you, Elizabeth. It was November '95. It had been a wonderful, redemptive experience, just being accepted to write and then the writing process itself. However, a month or so after the meditations ended, I went to mail call one day and there was this huge manila envelope, stuffed full. Inside were hundreds of letter from readers, telling me how grateful they were for me. I've still got that (and others) tear-stained box of letters; and the healing continues. Thank you for being a part of that. Peace...

Mount Karma

Apr 04, 2011 at 7:45 am

Written by Stephen,

This reminds me of the story of General Robert E. Lee's wife who along with their family were removed from their home after the general sided with the confederacy. She was bitter, angry and hurt. My mind went to all the Africans removed from their homes by profiteers that helped build our nation and the South with slave labor. I wonder if Mrs. Lee ever thought of them?

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Apr 04, 2011 at 8:16 am

Written by Magdalena,

Stephen, You're judging the ignorant by the enlightened; the blind by the sighted. The simply truth is she was a product of her time, with it's very different view. If we know better today, it's because we have been taught better. If there is an evolution, it is the evolution of the soul; wherein God changes us, teaches us, remakes us in his image. And we learn his lessons Oh so slowly. It is part of Dr King's heritage to us; we are all one HUMAN race. We have been shown the better way; and some of us will walk in it and take joy in the fellowship we gain from recognizing that different isn't bad. And we'll pray together that someday, all of us will do so.

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Apr 04, 2011 at 8:27 am

Written by Bo Cox,

Nice discussion!

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Apr 04, 2011 at 8:36 am

Written by gail,

First of all, thank you for your meditations. I've given them to my son, who is battling alcoholism (another form of prison). Who knows? Maybe he will be open to them.
Secondly, today's meditation reminds me of the time I was in the Army and was invited to a party by one of my fellow GIs. Upon arriving I discovered I was the only white person there. Just a small taste of what it must feel like to be in the minority.

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Apr 04, 2011 at 8:38 am

Written by Sarah,

I also read the first set of meditations in '95, and was touched. I read the book about life in Christ in prison, and had my then-teen sons read it as well. One has had some of the consequences of drug and alcohol addiction come home to him in the last three years. I pray that he remembers what he read and understood from you. Thanks for the current writings--so far, they have been great.

friend on the path

Apr 04, 2011 at 9:02 am

Written by linda,

Thanks for making my morning richer.
L

Many thanks

Apr 04, 2011 at 9:21 am

Written by Bo Cox,

Thanks to all of you; this is a win-win. I always hope that people get half as much from reading them as I do living and writing them. So, truly, the privilege is mine. Glad to share. Peace...Bo

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Apr 04, 2011 at 9:38 am

Written by Cindy,

I really love the meditations by this writer. They speak about real life moments of grace.

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