Mark's Blog
The Need to Put on a Life-Giving Mask
As an airplane taxis toward takeoff, I invariably treat the mandatory instruction from the flight attendant as annoying background noise: “Make sure you put your own oxygen mask on before assisting others”. Most of us don’t pay any attention, because we figure such a...
Responding to Those Who are Itching for a Fight
A vivid memory burst into my consciousness a few days ago, which has, for me, a direct connection to the recent deployment of the National Guard in several US cities.Several years ago I was sitting at the old Yankee Stadium, attending a Red Sox-Yankee game. My friends...
Building Bridges Across Difference and Discord
While at a national Bridging Movement Summit held at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate last week, I heard a number that lifted my heart. I learned that there are over 11,000 groups working in America to bridge divides and strengthen democracy. ...
Charlie Kirk and the Prophetic Voice
Much was said at the memorial service for Charlie Kirk which was attended by thousands, including President Trump and other national leaders. Much was said about his life, his faith, his passion, his positions, his patriotism, his family. And much will continue to be...
Responding to Political Violence
It is an escalating pandemic of political violence. The attempt on Donald Trump’s life in July 2024. The attempted murder of Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and his family in April. The killing of Minnesota State Senate leader Melissa Hortman and her...
Non-Violence Has a Power That Can Make a Difference
It is a mind numbing and soul wrenching turn of events. The Department of Defense is now referred to as the Department of War. The President has indicated that he will soon deploy National Guard troops to Chicago. On September 2, the US Navy attacked a ship in...
Discover Your Patch on the Quilt of Coming Alive
“Don’t ask what the world needs”, Howard Thurman (author, Christian mystic, civil rights leader, mentor to Martin Luther King, 1899-1981) famously wrote; “Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who come alive.” ...
Remedies for the Resentment Virus
We are living in an emotional and spiritual pandemic. A pandemic of resentment. Resentment is a psychic virus that can disable minds and hearts, and wreak havoc on public health. The genesis of the virus predates the book of Genesis, but it is in the first book of...
Deploying Troops in DC: Another Assault on Public Health
Public health is under siege, not just with vaccine retrenchment and the gutting of the CDC, NIH and God knows how many research programs, but now with the deployment of armed national guard troops in our nation's capitol. Last week I participated in a working group...