Eccumenical Message on Easter

I don't know how many of you were able to watch TV Easter Sunday morning, but Tim Russert hosted an interfaith dialogue on his Sunday morning news show, Meet the Press. His special guests were"

Sister Joan Chittister of the Order of St. Benedict and author, “Called to Question: A Spiritual Memoir”
Rabbi Michael Lerner of the Beyt Tikkun Synagogue in California and author, “The Left Hand Of God: Taking Back Our Country From the Religious Right”
Jon Meacham, managing editor, Newsweek magazine, and author, “American Gospel: God, the Founding Fathers and the Making of a Nation”
Sayyed Hossein Nasr, professor of Islamic Studies, George Washington University and author, “The Heart of Islam: Enduring Values for Humanity”
Reverend Richard John Neuhaus, editor, First Things, and author, “Catholic Matters: Confusion, Controversy and the Splendor of Truth”
Joel Osteen, senior pastor, Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, and author, “Your Best Life Now; 7 Steps To Living At Your Full Potential.”

The discussion was riveting. Anyone with emerging interests would genuinely appreciate the content and tone of their dialogue. I encourage you to read the full transcript for yourself. I found Sister Chittister, Father Neuhaus, and Sayyed Hossein Nasr to be the most intriguing guests. Sister Chittister in particular had several things to say that left me seriously re-evaluating my thought process on several important social issues. I appreciate the challenge.

On the home front, let me also recognize the Interfaith Symposiums recently held in Cenla by Rabbi Arnold Task of the Congregation Gemiluth Chassodim, Pastor Leem Weems of Emmanuel Baptist Church, and Majed Sabke, former Imam of the Islamic Center, all of Alexandria. While I was unable to attend the events, I appreciate the message they conveyed to our community about the importance of respectful civil discourse in the pursuit of common ground.