4 Things in the Life…
Week of 6.16-20
What am I listening to…
As a way to maintain a rhythm with music, I have adopted a practice of immersion. What I mean by that is, instead of jumping all over the place in search of some music to listen to, I have chosen to immerse myself in one artist or band per week. This week’s pick is Sly and the Family Stone. It was motivated by a couple of things. Sly and the Family Stone served as a portal into R&B/Funk for me. When I first heard them as a teenager, my mind was blown. The Bass! The Wah! The Afros! The social activism lyrics! I couldn’t stop listening to them, so this week has been very nostalgic.
The other reason I chose this group is that Sly, the leader of the band, died only a few days ago (June 9th). Rest in Peace, Sylvester Stone! You awakened something in me that has not slumbered since!
“Sly and the Family Stone had 16 Billboard Hot 100 hits between 1968 and 1975. This includes three number-one singles: "Everyday People", the dual-sided "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" / "Everybody Is a Star", and "Family Affair".” AI
Here is one of my favorites!!!
Sorry if you don’t think he's cool, but if you don't, I'm not sure we can be friends. 😉
What am I honoring…
Juneteenth!
I’m not sure how much Juneteenth has been on your radar, but if you’re unaware of what it’s about, here’s a quick overview summary: “Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. On June 17, 2021, it officially became a federal holiday. Juneteenth 2025 will occur on Thursday, June 19.”1
This interview with Jasmine Crockett is both inspiring and informative concerning the holiday!
A contemporary question, related to Juneteenth from Rep Jasmine Crockett, “What does freedom actually look like in this country, and are we willing to fight for it?”
Again, what am I concerned about…
Concerned is not a strong enough word.
There are people I know who, given the way ICE hyper-aggressively treats people, are genuinely anxious, and I'm concerned.
I am calling out to God, the Kyrie Eleison!
“Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.”
What am I reading…
I have been working through the book entitled “Discern” recently. ” It's a book about the elements of Ignatian spirituality, specifically hearing God's voice through Consolations and Desolations.
Here is one of the excerpts that I loved…
“The church is the spiritual refuge for battle-weary souls. I attend church to pray with people who have the same great desires and insipid temptations as I. Together as one family, we lift our prayers to the Father, and we beg the Son to come close—to teach us, to heal us, to redeem us, and to befriend us.”2
I hope you all have a fantastic weekend. Find some joy! Find some hope! Find an embrace!
Be peace,
r
https://www.history.com/articles/what-is-juneteenth
Thibodeaux, Mark E.. Discern: Listening for God's Whispers (p. 27). (Function). Kindle Edition.
Thanks for sharing!