A Nun writes in her daily journal in the year 2089
2089/12/30
Although I am optimistic and so happy with how things have happened for the last thirty years... I am, well I guess I still get those feelings as though everything is going to come to an end. It's as if a fire were to start in just a single place and then the whole world would ignite. Earth, covered with combustible attitudes and beliefs. Gasoline in the midst of a spark.
How can one ever believe that peace would last for so long? 30 years without a major conflict or struggle. God bless us all!
Perhaps I am being less than a believer in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior when I think these thoughts. I do not know?
It has been nearly five years since I left the Middle East. With all that has happened I am still pained to see the way people treat one another. Jews and Palestinians living together, but still separate. Two gun fighters waiting for the sunset. And right in the middle... Right in between them is that gas can just waiting for a stray bullet. A reason to explode and send us all to hell.
Perhaps I'm just stuck in my old ways. Hopes lie with the children who let the memories of hate die with their elders.
Amen
2090/1/10
Cheryl doesn't think God should be displayed as a women. Ha! From a man maybe, but I just can't help getting upset when a woman tells me these things.
When I came to this church I knew I'd have obstacles, but why do they always stick me in the back?
The art exhibit just wouldn't be complete without this work. How can I tell a seven year old that I can’t use her painting because God is a man when I don't think she is either?
I guess in all my teachings it's always been best to stick with "I am" but children are far too clever. "Did God sound like a man or like a woman when speaking to Moses?" Of course, why would God sound like a woman!
It's strange... I know I'm not the first person to go out on a limb and display God as a woman, but it's almost like being naked. It's always been easier to stand up for other people’s beliefs. I've never turned away a homosexual, a person of different denomination or beliefs, but here I am frightened by a seven year old who listened to what I said.
I think I am frightened because I touched her with my beliefs and not necessarily the beliefs of the church. But am I here to represent the church or the Lord?
All I know is that if there is a price to pay, I’ll pay it. The painting will be displayed next to mine. Amen
2090/1/20
Today my heart is aglow and though it is winter and my path seemed primrose I know that everything will be fine for at least another year.
The mayor has informed me that not only did our garden and community service achievements meet charitable status quotas but also the church will receive an extra resource allotment Hip-hip, hooray!
Sometimes it feels like this church has no walls. A seed we planted becomes fruit in a person’s basket 15 miles away. Our crafts room has went from hand crafted picture frames to woodwind and stringed instruments. Ten years ago I was a little bit more than scared. When the church was informed that we had to become a productive entity within the community or loose our property I was in shock. Like what we were doing was just blowing a lot of hot air!
Wow, now I'm amazed that people once only came to church to pray! How did they ever meet one another? How did they learn from others mistakes and from their achievements? If you don't know your neighbor it's a lot harder to show them your love.
I guess when you think about it the first churches did exactly what we're doing today. The first churches did more than pray they brought people together to get some work done. Another solid year of giving!
And oh yes, dear diary, dear lord I know that if you are a woman then there's a seven year old girl that's the spitting image of you. Amen
2090/4/1
Ah yes April first, a happy New Years for all those fools of the old world.
Okay, okay, I'll admit that I was a bit nervous... Entering New York City is a we bit- SCARY!
New York has probably been one of the more difficult areas to control since the revolution.
Oh, it's nothing with the people in general. It's more to do with those who were not very accepting of their role in the new world. No more stock exchange. No more corporate bank take over of businesses they knew little about. No more Mafia or areas of organized crime. The King Kong of capitalism and all it's exploitation took a horrible blow.
It's a wonder the city didn't burn to the ground. Many C.E.O.s used incendiary devices to destroy their offices and snipers made the firefighters job nearly impossible. It took nearly three years before Manhattan was opened up to the general public after a voluntary evacuation.
Gosh, I'm sounding like a teacher again~.
I'm thinking about how it felt to exit the trail car at Penn station the same way travelers have done for 200 years. I'm sure the air was never this clean. But the view on Broadway and 38th was probably just about the same. Some things are just too good to replace.
New York is probably the only place in the world that has maintained it's taxi cab, sub way, and bus system. Of course everything is electric, but it's nice to get a feel for that old world charm.
For the children, I have brought with me, New York is like a dream come true. A virtual world they have already traveled through in their homes. A fact that I am grateful for. We had already taken a virtual world walk from the subway to our hotel. We had no problem finding our way around. Besides, their are tourist boards everywhere.
Each child is also carrying a locator band. It's a shame that I'm not so trusting of the Big Apple. Crime is a thing of the past, but so am I. While it might be easy for the children to live in this new world of freedom, I can't be so sure it will last. Human nature is human nature. As powerful as our toys shall ever become, as fair a the law shall ever be... to tame humane nature is to no longer be human. How can we be protected and be ourselves?
Dear lord, thank you for our safe arrival. Please watch over the children and let our time here be a blessed occasion for all of us and those we encounter. Peace.
Amen
2090/04/03
I believe what is most amazing for all of us is how much of the city is still so real. New York remains one of the Mecca's for diversity in culture, and more than ever entertainment and tourism.
I wanted to show the children that New York's history is far greater than the terrorist acts that took place during the revolution. It also was not all gangs. New York brought many of the ideas that shaped our modern world to the surface.
Theatre, poetry, writers, musicians, and artists alike all gave us new definitions for living. The irony of Capitalism and its destruction of morality became all too clear.
"Walk the streets and ask yourself if you are in Babel? Ask if what you see is beauty or the blood, sweat, and toil of generations beneath the tyranny of those driven by greed and egotism?"
Whenever we fill our skies with something besides the blue heaven, we must always ask- “Why?”
Oh, I'm not so bad. Even I could appreciate the view from the Twin towers. Even exploitation cannot deny the power of human creativity, a thought that has carried with me since I first saw the Pyramids of North Africa.
I'll sleep with a positive thought. The children will sleep in anticipation of meeting others their age.
Amen
2090/4/4
Today we left for Brooklyn to meet with the city children. While most of my pupils have friends that live in the city from exchange type programs this is still a new experience for many.
I'm delighted by the appearance of the school. Each year students take part in construction projects that has given them schoolrooms as diverse as it's student body. Sound barriers and virtual reality surroundings place each piece of art in it's natural surrounding. Our first gathering with students took place in a adobe filled with authentic looking clay pottery made by the students. Savannah (our oldest student) generated holograms of some of her work in pottery as well.
Later, we took a walk to the library, which resembled a Buddhist monastery. The students believed that such an environment would be conducive to a quite atmosphere.
We were also told that a great Zen Master once offered to give all he had to assist in the project, but since he had nothing to give he slept on the ground where the room was to be built. In the morning he left leaving a note that read, "I give you my dreams and from there you can build anything."
I am in awe of all that I see. The rest of the day is spent with one of the school counselors Miche' Roth.
Miche’ is an interesting gentlemen. His concern obviously lies with the children and he is obviously skeptical my own efforts though he won't come out and say it. He has both Catholic and Jewish family and seems to believe that society would be better if religion took a wrong turn and dropped off the planet.
While I should be offended, I'm not. Miche' is entitled to his beliefs.
2090/4/5
So, yes, it's on my mind. Religion, religion, religion. I refuse to believe that all that has went wrong with society can somehow be traced back to religion.
Can we be so naive? All that is wrong with society is not dogma, but God giving us a choice. A choice to be more than any other animal. To exist in the wild kingdom or to rise above the environment in the pursuit of salvation. A choice to be consumed by greed or to live forever with love.
If we take away that choice then we may take away our problems, but if we take away that choice we also become no more than a machine. I offer the church, not as salvation, but as hope. A force, to support you in making the right decisions, while helping you stir through the bad ones.
Perhaps Miche' is correct when he sights holy wars, the inquisition, and religious segregation, but even those who serve in the name of the Lord are not the Lord. They error as any human may error. But in a world where one can so easily decide to do wrong, we must always support the opportunities to do right. That is why I preach.
In the days of the execution it was always the priest who could walk beside the most disrupted of our time and pray not for forgiveness but for their last chance to see the glory of something better, something so beautiful it... It can erase the anger they carry inside.
The belly of the beast within us is why we need church. We need hope beyond our hunger, so that we can feel full.
Many church leaders are responsible for the social programs that Miche' himself represents. So now what? Build a house and take out the support beams. Oh, Mr. Roth, you should know better?
2090/04/07
Stop! Why do I punish myself over such things? It's not my fault, nor is it Miche's.
To think that Savannah of all people could get in a fight! A child, a young lady such as herself...
I always knew she was high strung, artistic and expressive, but to attack another human being in such an exorbitant manner. My breath has not nearly returned since this incident.
Shakespeare would smile at my wavering faith in human nature. Perhaps we will never be bred to a higher species? Perhaps our wills shall always fall prey to jealousy? The setting may have changed, but some truths shall always remain.
Listen to me. This is all so ridiculous. A young lady sees her personal confidant, of sorts, with another and BAM! The end of the world is here with several slaps and some torn clothes.
I'm sure when all is said and done she'll come to the conclusion that her reaction was wrong.
Thank god there was no weapons! Oh Lord, did anyone truly read Shakespeare? You can't bring people together and grow roses without thorns.
Of course there was a potential for a fight. But at least there are no weapons? To think that our revolutionaries confiscated enough weapons to arm most every other child in this city not even a century ago.
If this was the year 2000 either Savannah or another could very well be dead. There would be no lesson. Only another scar for society to bare.
Ten years from today Savannah will laugh at her foolishness. Seldom has a tragedy taken place without the presence of weapons of destruction.
I thank you lord for giving us all the chance to learn from our mistakes. And may all of us be blessed with a safe path towards that lesson.
Amen
2089/12/30
Although I am optimistic and so happy with how things have happened for the last thirty years... I am, well I guess I still get those feelings as though everything is going to come to an end. It's as if a fire were to start in just a single place and then the whole world would ignite. Earth, covered with combustible attitudes and beliefs. Gasoline in the midst of a spark.
How can one ever believe that peace would last for so long? 30 years without a major conflict or struggle. God bless us all!
Perhaps I am being less than a believer in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior when I think these thoughts. I do not know?
It has been nearly five years since I left the Middle East. With all that has happened I am still pained to see the way people treat one another. Jews and Palestinians living together, but still separate. Two gun fighters waiting for the sunset. And right in the middle... Right in between them is that gas can just waiting for a stray bullet. A reason to explode and send us all to hell.
Perhaps I'm just stuck in my old ways. Hopes lie with the children who let the memories of hate die with their elders.
Amen
2090/1/10
Cheryl doesn't think God should be displayed as a women. Ha! From a man maybe, but I just can't help getting upset when a woman tells me these things.
When I came to this church I knew I'd have obstacles, but why do they always stick me in the back?
The art exhibit just wouldn't be complete without this work. How can I tell a seven year old that I can’t use her painting because God is a man when I don't think she is either?
I guess in all my teachings it's always been best to stick with "I am" but children are far too clever. "Did God sound like a man or like a woman when speaking to Moses?" Of course, why would God sound like a woman!
It's strange... I know I'm not the first person to go out on a limb and display God as a woman, but it's almost like being naked. It's always been easier to stand up for other people’s beliefs. I've never turned away a homosexual, a person of different denomination or beliefs, but here I am frightened by a seven year old who listened to what I said.
I think I am frightened because I touched her with my beliefs and not necessarily the beliefs of the church. But am I here to represent the church or the Lord?
All I know is that if there is a price to pay, I’ll pay it. The painting will be displayed next to mine. Amen
2090/1/20
Today my heart is aglow and though it is winter and my path seemed primrose I know that everything will be fine for at least another year.
The mayor has informed me that not only did our garden and community service achievements meet charitable status quotas but also the church will receive an extra resource allotment Hip-hip, hooray!
Sometimes it feels like this church has no walls. A seed we planted becomes fruit in a person’s basket 15 miles away. Our crafts room has went from hand crafted picture frames to woodwind and stringed instruments. Ten years ago I was a little bit more than scared. When the church was informed that we had to become a productive entity within the community or loose our property I was in shock. Like what we were doing was just blowing a lot of hot air!
Wow, now I'm amazed that people once only came to church to pray! How did they ever meet one another? How did they learn from others mistakes and from their achievements? If you don't know your neighbor it's a lot harder to show them your love.
I guess when you think about it the first churches did exactly what we're doing today. The first churches did more than pray they brought people together to get some work done. Another solid year of giving!
And oh yes, dear diary, dear lord I know that if you are a woman then there's a seven year old girl that's the spitting image of you. Amen
2090/4/1
Ah yes April first, a happy New Years for all those fools of the old world.
Okay, okay, I'll admit that I was a bit nervous... Entering New York City is a we bit- SCARY!
New York has probably been one of the more difficult areas to control since the revolution.
Oh, it's nothing with the people in general. It's more to do with those who were not very accepting of their role in the new world. No more stock exchange. No more corporate bank take over of businesses they knew little about. No more Mafia or areas of organized crime. The King Kong of capitalism and all it's exploitation took a horrible blow.
It's a wonder the city didn't burn to the ground. Many C.E.O.s used incendiary devices to destroy their offices and snipers made the firefighters job nearly impossible. It took nearly three years before Manhattan was opened up to the general public after a voluntary evacuation.
Gosh, I'm sounding like a teacher again~.
I'm thinking about how it felt to exit the trail car at Penn station the same way travelers have done for 200 years. I'm sure the air was never this clean. But the view on Broadway and 38th was probably just about the same. Some things are just too good to replace.
New York is probably the only place in the world that has maintained it's taxi cab, sub way, and bus system. Of course everything is electric, but it's nice to get a feel for that old world charm.
For the children, I have brought with me, New York is like a dream come true. A virtual world they have already traveled through in their homes. A fact that I am grateful for. We had already taken a virtual world walk from the subway to our hotel. We had no problem finding our way around. Besides, their are tourist boards everywhere.
Each child is also carrying a locator band. It's a shame that I'm not so trusting of the Big Apple. Crime is a thing of the past, but so am I. While it might be easy for the children to live in this new world of freedom, I can't be so sure it will last. Human nature is human nature. As powerful as our toys shall ever become, as fair a the law shall ever be... to tame humane nature is to no longer be human. How can we be protected and be ourselves?
Dear lord, thank you for our safe arrival. Please watch over the children and let our time here be a blessed occasion for all of us and those we encounter. Peace.
Amen
2090/04/03
I believe what is most amazing for all of us is how much of the city is still so real. New York remains one of the Mecca's for diversity in culture, and more than ever entertainment and tourism.
I wanted to show the children that New York's history is far greater than the terrorist acts that took place during the revolution. It also was not all gangs. New York brought many of the ideas that shaped our modern world to the surface.
Theatre, poetry, writers, musicians, and artists alike all gave us new definitions for living. The irony of Capitalism and its destruction of morality became all too clear.
"Walk the streets and ask yourself if you are in Babel? Ask if what you see is beauty or the blood, sweat, and toil of generations beneath the tyranny of those driven by greed and egotism?"
Whenever we fill our skies with something besides the blue heaven, we must always ask- “Why?”
Oh, I'm not so bad. Even I could appreciate the view from the Twin towers. Even exploitation cannot deny the power of human creativity, a thought that has carried with me since I first saw the Pyramids of North Africa.
I'll sleep with a positive thought. The children will sleep in anticipation of meeting others their age.
Amen
2090/4/4
Today we left for Brooklyn to meet with the city children. While most of my pupils have friends that live in the city from exchange type programs this is still a new experience for many.
I'm delighted by the appearance of the school. Each year students take part in construction projects that has given them schoolrooms as diverse as it's student body. Sound barriers and virtual reality surroundings place each piece of art in it's natural surrounding. Our first gathering with students took place in a adobe filled with authentic looking clay pottery made by the students. Savannah (our oldest student) generated holograms of some of her work in pottery as well.
Later, we took a walk to the library, which resembled a Buddhist monastery. The students believed that such an environment would be conducive to a quite atmosphere.
We were also told that a great Zen Master once offered to give all he had to assist in the project, but since he had nothing to give he slept on the ground where the room was to be built. In the morning he left leaving a note that read, "I give you my dreams and from there you can build anything."
I am in awe of all that I see. The rest of the day is spent with one of the school counselors Miche' Roth.
Miche’ is an interesting gentlemen. His concern obviously lies with the children and he is obviously skeptical my own efforts though he won't come out and say it. He has both Catholic and Jewish family and seems to believe that society would be better if religion took a wrong turn and dropped off the planet.
While I should be offended, I'm not. Miche' is entitled to his beliefs.
2090/4/5
So, yes, it's on my mind. Religion, religion, religion. I refuse to believe that all that has went wrong with society can somehow be traced back to religion.
Can we be so naive? All that is wrong with society is not dogma, but God giving us a choice. A choice to be more than any other animal. To exist in the wild kingdom or to rise above the environment in the pursuit of salvation. A choice to be consumed by greed or to live forever with love.
If we take away that choice then we may take away our problems, but if we take away that choice we also become no more than a machine. I offer the church, not as salvation, but as hope. A force, to support you in making the right decisions, while helping you stir through the bad ones.
Perhaps Miche' is correct when he sights holy wars, the inquisition, and religious segregation, but even those who serve in the name of the Lord are not the Lord. They error as any human may error. But in a world where one can so easily decide to do wrong, we must always support the opportunities to do right. That is why I preach.
In the days of the execution it was always the priest who could walk beside the most disrupted of our time and pray not for forgiveness but for their last chance to see the glory of something better, something so beautiful it... It can erase the anger they carry inside.
The belly of the beast within us is why we need church. We need hope beyond our hunger, so that we can feel full.
Many church leaders are responsible for the social programs that Miche' himself represents. So now what? Build a house and take out the support beams. Oh, Mr. Roth, you should know better?
2090/04/07
Stop! Why do I punish myself over such things? It's not my fault, nor is it Miche's.
To think that Savannah of all people could get in a fight! A child, a young lady such as herself...
I always knew she was high strung, artistic and expressive, but to attack another human being in such an exorbitant manner. My breath has not nearly returned since this incident.
Shakespeare would smile at my wavering faith in human nature. Perhaps we will never be bred to a higher species? Perhaps our wills shall always fall prey to jealousy? The setting may have changed, but some truths shall always remain.
Listen to me. This is all so ridiculous. A young lady sees her personal confidant, of sorts, with another and BAM! The end of the world is here with several slaps and some torn clothes.
I'm sure when all is said and done she'll come to the conclusion that her reaction was wrong.
Thank god there was no weapons! Oh Lord, did anyone truly read Shakespeare? You can't bring people together and grow roses without thorns.
Of course there was a potential for a fight. But at least there are no weapons? To think that our revolutionaries confiscated enough weapons to arm most every other child in this city not even a century ago.
If this was the year 2000 either Savannah or another could very well be dead. There would be no lesson. Only another scar for society to bare.
Ten years from today Savannah will laugh at her foolishness. Seldom has a tragedy taken place without the presence of weapons of destruction.
I thank you lord for giving us all the chance to learn from our mistakes. And may all of us be blessed with a safe path towards that lesson.
Amen