A woman named Moses

On this day in 1913, a woman named Moses died. You probably know this was Harriet Tubman's pseudonym, given to her because she led her people into "the promised land" on the Underground Railroad.

In my readings this morning, I discovered striking coincidences, also known as Godwinks or Godincidences!

Richard Rohr's meditation today on Paul suggests that Paul's great success at creating Beloved Communities of "children of God" was because he gave people back their dignity and self-esteem by telling them they were equally and fully "children of God."

Likewise, Harriet Tubman restored slaves to wholeness, restoring their dignity and self-esteem, by leading them out of slavery to freedom in Canada.

And Rohr continues by saying, "Paul does not make heroes of individuals, but precisely as members of the Body do they "shine like stars" as "perfect children of God among a deceitful and underhanded brood" (Philippians 2:15)."

Likewise, Frederick Douglass, the great former slave/abolitionist/author, wrote to Harriet Tubman in 1868, "Most that I have done and suffered in the service of our cause has been in public, and I have received much encouragement at every step of the way. You, on the other hand, have labored in a private way. I have wrought in the day - you in the night. ... The midnight sky and the silent stars have been the witnesses of your devotion to freedom and of your heroism."

The Beloved Community of Children of God is made up of those of you who shine like silent stars among a deceitful and underhanded brood. Never forget how important your star light is and keep on shining...regardless of the darkness of the underhanded brood!