In the mid 1800’s the author Charles Dickens in his famous novel A Tale of Two Cities, wrote: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

He could just as well have written these words right now or at numerous other times in our history as a human race; and yet, today, with everything going on in the political and social world, we think it is the worst of times, and that we have never experienced such low consciousness and injustice. On the other hand we feel that it is the time of enlightenment, we are shifting and the world is finally ready for a planetary lift.

What is it and when will we make up our minds? When will we choose one or the other? Jesus once said we cannot serve God and Mammon. Other mystics and philosophers have let us know that we cannot think two things at the same time and have a clear consciousness and receive the results we want.

We must choose to believe in one or the other. It’s either faith or fear. Yes, it might be the best of times and the worst of times, but we must choose which one we will live right now, or continue saying the same thing in every century and experiencing the same results. I am not willing to be double minded. I live by faith and faith alone. I believe it is the best of times and if there is darkness, it is to show me that the light is stronger and wins out now.

Yesterday, yet again, a hate-filled brother took up arms and slaughtered our Jewish brothers and sisters in a hate crime. He thought it was the right thing to do. For him, it was the best of times. However, what we know is that one cannot use the Law of our being destructively lest destroy ourselves by it. It’s Law and those who use it destructively will receive their due according to Law.

I am saddened by the continual refusal to shift the means we use to solve these problems of violence; however, I cannot give up. I still have faith and I still focus on the best of times, while I help to lift the fallen at the same time and give my positive energy to the causes that assist.

I choose faith over fear now more than ever. The mystic Ernest Holmes,  one of my favorite teachers wrote, “In order to have faith, we must have a conviction that all is well.” This conviction may not be fully embodied by us right now, but we must persist in it. We must remember that Principle is not bound by precedent. No matter how many times we feel we have failed; we can start anew.

Ernest continues, “The principle governing faith is, that when the one praying becomes convinced, his prayer will automatically be answered.

We must keep pressing on. We must believe in the unseen power that works through us and brings forth the new at our command. We must persist in love, not just for the people we like but for all of creation. We are not excusing behavior, but we must forgive if we are to be saved. We must speak out. We must begin right where we are believing that no matter what we see and experience, “IT IS THE BEST OF TIMES. The light is here. The wisdom is here. The hope is here. The Power of belief is here.

Yes, it’s all here Dark and Light; however, I choose Light.

Love and Aloha,

Rev. Rita