Justice and Peace

I belong to a group that was created the evening of 9/11/2001. A group of religious activist met and decided that our Muslim colleagues might be in danger of becoming victims of retaliations against the followers of Muhammed since the news about the World Trade Center's destruction blamed Muslims for the crime. This small group of leaders summoned "the usual suspects" to meet at 7:00 am the following Friday, September 14. The group chose as its name Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace and chose as its motto: Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War. (Later on "violence" was added to the original statement.)

Ever since then between 30 and 60 people gather every Friday to hear a witness and to work on possible programs that will promote peace and justice. Today around 50 people showed up for a Holiday party attended by Christians, Jews, Muslims, Unitarians and assorted individuals who have found our meetings edifying, instructive and energizing.

In the last few months we have opened the meeting with a statement from one of us sharing his or her journey of faith and grace. Today it was Tom Honore's time and his story was as inspiring as each and everyone of the other stories we have heard and, I am sure, all the stories we will hear.

Tom was a Roman Catholic priest who left the priesthood but retained his faith. He and his wife are very active in their local congregation and also in national events through a progressive Roman Catholic group that constantly challenges the "official" line of the church.

I usually car pool from Claremont to Immanuel Presbyterian Church on Wilshire (about 70 miles round trip.) My traveling companions are an Episcopalian Priest and a Presbyterian pastor active in the United Methodist Church. All three of us are part of a growing body of trans-denominational believers who stand on one tradition but participate in congregations or organizations that are "walking the walk." ICUJP is that kind of organization and our weekly trips are always exciting as each of us shares what we have been reading, hearing or watching. We share videos and books and so keep our costs down. All three of us participate also in another organization called Progressive Christians Uniting which seeks to spread the message that the Christian Right does not represent all those who try to follow Jesus.

Tom Honore's sharing inspired me to continue a project organizing my memoirs. He had a very exciting life, so far, and it promises to get better since he is in touch with the likes of me and others at ICUJP.

If you wish to learn more about either of these organizations check us out in the internet. ICUJP has a web site at www.icujp.org and Progressive Christians United's web address is www.progressivechristiansuniting.org. Either one of these organizations deserves a look and a following. If you live in the larger metropolitan area of Los Angeles drop by, if you are in another part of the country start a group like ours and then let us network and create a real national movement along with others who are dissatisfied with the blandness of most churches or religious institutions and wish to make an impact in society through communities of faith.

Ignacio Castuera