- This is the Day
- Posts
- September 4
September 4
Albert Schweitzer, Anthony de Mello, Paul Jones, and the Little Rock Nine
David Barnhart
September 04, 2025
Okra, 2025. Own photo.
Today marks the death, in 1965, of Albert Schweitzer, Alsatian theologian, musician, physician, and activist. It is hard to imagine mastering so many fields in one lifetime, much less making meaningful contributions in them, but Schweitzer was driven by a passion and reverence for life. Though he was an outspoken critic of colonialism, his hospital mission in Gabon fell under criticism for some of the same practices.
Today is the birthday, in 1931, of Anthony de Mello, Indian-born Jesuit priest, psychotherapist, author, and mystic. He found harmony between Christian mysticism and Eastern spiritual practices, and wrote with profound insight into mind and spirit.
Today is a feast day, in the Episcopal Church, for Paul Jones, who was forced to resign from being bishop of Utah for his outspoken pacifist views in 1918. He continued ministry being an advocate for peace and social justice. He died on this day in 1941.
On this day in 1957, the Little Rock Nine entered Central High School in Little Rock Arkansas for the first time. These nine Black students were the first students of color to ever enter the high school. They were met with protestors who threatened them and attempted to block their entry into the school building. The governor of Arkansas participated in the attempts to prevent the students from attending school and beginning the process of desegregation in Little Rock. The students were only able to enter the school when President Eisenhower ordered the 101st Army Airborne Division to provide them with a military escort.
Reflection:
Here are the names of the Little Rock Nine:
Thelma Mothershed
Minnijean Brown
Elizabeth Eckford
Gloria Ray
Jefferson Thomas
Melba Beals
Terrence Roberts
Carlotta Walls
Ernest Green
From Anthony De Mello’s story, “The Truth Shop”:
I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw the name of the shop: THE TRUTH SHOP.
The saleswoman was very polite: What type of truth did I wish to purchase, partial or whole? The whole truth, of course. No deceptions for me, no defenses, no rationalizations. I wanted my truth plain and unadulterated. She waved me on to another side of the store.
The salesman there pointed to the price tag. “The price is very high, sir,” he said. “What is it?” I asked, determined to get the whole truth, no matter what it cost. “Your security, sir,” he answered.
I came away with a heavy heart. I still need the safety of my unquestioned beliefs.
Albert Schweitzer wrote:
“Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace.”
and
“He comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lakeside; He came to those men who knew Him not. He speaks to us the same words: "Follow thou me!" and sets us to the tasks which He has to fulfill for our time. He commands. And to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple, He will reveal himself in the toils, the conflicts, the sufferings which they shall pass through in His fellowship, and, as an ineffable mystery, they shall learn in their own experience Who He is.”
Prayer: God in whom we live and move and have our being, help us to see and know that what affects one of us, affects us all. Amen.