If not now, tell me when…

Reflection from the desk of Sister Abby Newton, OP

Like you, I am sickened and heartbroken at yet another, hate-filled mass shooting in our world.  New Zealand, thought to be a place of inclusion and peace, sadly became the site for this venom.  I wonder how an ideology that the brave men and women of the Allies (including the United States and New Zealand) fought to defeat in World War II is now attracting new adherents.

Bishop Myron Cotta of our Stockton Diocese wrote a public letter to our Muslim brothers and sisters in which he calls for us to stand in solidarity with them especially in these dark days.  You may read his letter via this link: https://stocktondiocese.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Christchurch-New-Zealand.pdf

This morning while getting ready to come to work, I played a favorite song by Carrie Newcomer.  It is a favorite of mine and, sadly, I last heard it at the Shabbat Shalom at Temple Israel after the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre.  Called If Not Now, Tell Me When, it reminds me that we must take every opportunity to build peace and understanding, to create communities that honor each and every human being, to end the violence of word and deed.

If not now, tell me when
If not now, tell me when.
We may never see this moment
Or place in time again
If not now, if not now, tell me when.

I see sorrow and trouble in this land
I see sorrow and trouble in this land
Although there will be struggle we’ll make the change we can.
If not now, tell me when.

I may never see the promised land.
I may never see the promised land.
And yet we’ll take the journey
And walk it hand in hand

If not now, tell me when.

If not now, tell me when
If not now, tell me when.
We may never see this moment
Or place in time again
If not now, if not now, tell me when.

So we’ll work it ’til it’s done
Every daughter every son,
Every soul that ever longed for something better,
Something brighter.

It will take a change of heart for this to mend.
It will take a change of heart for this to mend.
But miracles do happen every shining now and then
If not now, tell me when?

If not now,
Tell me when.
But miracles do happen every shining now and then.
If not now tell me when.
If not now tell me when.
If not now tell me when.

Sister Abby Newton, OP
Service Area Vice President Mission Integration
St Joseph Medical Center
Stockton, CA  95204