the intersection of life and grace

Therefore, I’ve turned on word verfication for comments. Blah, but necessary to keep me sane (or at least to keep me from losing what sanity I have left).

I’ve made no secret about being a long-time fan of U2. Over the years, it has been interesting to watch the band grow-up, but maintain their ideological, faithful, real voice. Maybe so interesting to me since I grew up with them, struggled through my own experiences as they struggled through theirs. Maybe so long because some of the windmills great-and-small the band, and Bono in particular, has chosen to joust from the heart-faith level are so similar… poverty & AIDS especially. I really enjoy the fact that Bono hasn’t been offensive in his advocacy, but has been steadfast, straightforward, humble and tenacious.

On Get Religion, a blog headed up by columnist Terry Mattingly to analyze religion coverage in the main stream media, I gobbled up this post by Doug LaBlanc called “Am I bugging you?’ The analysis is of a NYT Magazine piece about Bono’s activism and profiles him in that role. I’ve linked it because I don’t have the trackback feature on this blog. There’s a link directly from Get Religion to the NYT piece.

This piece echos much that I’ve been reading about in Bono: In Conversation with Michka Assayas, as the singer replies quite candidly to the questions Assayas poses about nearly every topic under the sun. It’s a great read for a fan, but also for a citizen of earth, and for a person of faith. I’ve taken away a number of tidbits to journal on, and was impressed by the same section Len blogged, and World Magazine caught in its article Salty Dogma, as Bono expressed his faith like this:

The interviewer, Mr. Assayas, begins by asking Bono, Doesn’t he think “appalling things” happen when people become religious? Bono counters, “It’s a mind-blowing concept that the God who created the Universe might be looking for company, a real relationship with people, but the thing that keeps me on my knees is the difference between Grace and Karma.”

The interviewer asks, What’s that? “At the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics—in physical laws—every action is met by an equal or an opposite one,” explains Bono. “And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that. . . . Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff.”

Would that all of us could express ourselves, our faith, our heart, so clearly… it would only change the world.

UPDATE: If you’re interested in more of what Bono advocates, or you haven’t been there in a while, go check out The ONE Campaign — there is much there to think and pray about.

::game show announcer voice:: It’s a plea deal, Monty! This package features six months in jail, ten years’ probation, registration as a sex offender in exchange for admitting guilt in felony rape of a minor, in driving while intoxicated, and for waiving her right to appeal! ::end voiceover::

Beth Geisel, the former English teacher at Albany’s Christian Brothers Academy, made headlines in early summer when she was caught in the back seat of her parked car with a 17-year-old student from the school. CBA fired her, and then more allegations of sex with students from the school emerged; she was arrested and charged with rape, three counts of it in fact, for her tryst with a 16-year-old in her home and other locations. A few weeks later, she cut off an Albany County Sherriff’s investigator just down the block from the Albany’s Police Court, and was found to be driving while intoxicated and with some shady characters. She’s been in jail ever since.

Today, she appeared in court… pleaded guilty to one rape charge, and the DWI… and by the time she is formally sentenced on November 21, she’ll serve only about 2 weeks of the 6 month sentence. SIX months, 2 weeks… after time served and time off for good behavior! She’ll have to serve 10 years on probation, and she’ll have to register as a sex offender, which is the only part of her “deal” that seems appropriate to her crimes. Oh, and she’ll be required to attend treatment and counselling… oh poor her. I’m not normally so unsympathetic, but she’s touched a nerve in me as a mother, as a professional who works with youth… she’s breached an important trust, and serving 2 official weeks for that makes me more than a little ill after all the turmoil. But, we’re supposed to be worried about her… at least according to her attorney:

Defense Attorney Donald Kinsella said, “I think she is glad this is moving on. She will be less the focus of attention. A trial would have been a spectacle for her family. Treatment, registration as a sex offender, as well as 10 years of probation does not appear to me as a light sentence.”

If you want to read more about it, try here; and there’s another story here.

Third Day is offering free download of their new single Cry Out to Jesus to raise awareness and funds (via WorldVision) to aid in disaster relief for those affected by Hurricane Katrina. If you haven’t found a way or place to give yet, this song offers a nudge for the heart. Here’s a sample:

To everyone who’s lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there’s nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He’ll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

Whether you’re called to give your treasure in dollars or tears or time on your knees, make sure you’re doing it. It’s our calling to be dispensers of God’s abundant grace in all times and places, but most especially among those in such dire need.