An Important Reminder During the Resistance

In our pursuit of justice, we are often met with moments that test our compassion and resilience. The journey toward equality and fairness can bring frustration, pain, and sorrow as we encounter resistance and witness the harm that injustice brings to our communities. And yet, in these very moments of difficulty, we are called to embody a fierce, loving kindness—a strength that refuses to bow to cruelty or despair.

“Keep my anger from becoming meanness.” Anger is a natural response to injustice, an inner flame that awakens us to wrongs that must be addressed. But unchecked anger can harden our hearts and drive us to respond with the very meanness we abhor. We pray that our anger remains righteous, rooted in a desire for transformation rather than retribution. Let it be a fuel that powers our commitment to justice but never a poison that taints our souls. May our anger illuminate paths toward healing, not division.

“Keep my sorrow from collapsing into self-pity.” To witness suffering and inequality is to know sorrow. But when we allow this sorrow to turn inward, it becomes a weight that immobilizes us, leading us into despair and self-pity. We must transform our sorrow into empathy, channeling it into actions that uplift and empower others. This sorrow can deepen our understanding and keep us connected to the pain of others, but only if we let it motivate us to stand in solidarity rather than sink into helplessness.

“Keep my heart soft enough to keep breaking.” A hardened heart may seem like an easy refuge, a shield against the heartbreak that comes with witnessing endless cycles of injustice. Yet, it is only through a soft heart—one willing to break time and again—that we can genuinely connect with those we serve and support. A heart that breaks remains open, responsive, and compassionate, reminding us that each story of suffering is not just a statistic but a precious human life. This brokenness fuels the tenderness required to stand in solidarity with the marginalized and oppressed.

“Keep my anger turned towards justice, not cruelty.” There is a fine line between seeking justice and succumbing to cruelty. Justice calls us to accountability, to hold systems and individuals responsible for their actions. But cruelty only perpetuates harm, a cycle that leads to more suffering. When our anger is directed toward justice, it becomes a transformative force. It moves beyond vengeance and instead becomes a call to create a world where all people can live with dignity. When channeled toward justice, our anger can dismantle oppression systems without dehumanizing others.

“Remind that all of this, every bit of it, is for love.” Love is the reason we fight for justice, the force that drives us to envision a world where every person is treated with respect and compassion. Love calls us to act not out of hatred or spite but out of a desire for collective flourishing. It reminds us that, even in our hardest struggles, the purpose is not to punish or destroy but to build something better. This love is not passive; it is fierce and unyielding, pushing us to confront injustice wherever it exists.

“Keep me fiercely kind.” Kindness is often mistaken for weakness, but it is one of our most powerful tools. To be fiercely kind is to be unshakable in our commitment to treat others with dignity, even in moments of conflict. Fierce kindness does not mean accepting harm; it means responding to harm with a vision of healing and justice. It is a radical act in a world that often values power over compassion. Kindness, rooted in love and justice, becomes a force that can change hearts, minds, and, ultimately, the world.

As we strive for a more just and compassionate society, may we hold fast to these principles. Let our anger propel us toward justice, our sorrow deepen our empathy, and our kindness remains a fierce beacon of hope. In all that we do, let us remember that our actions are for love—for a world where all can live free from fear and filled with dignity.