Winter 2026

WINTER IS COMING. No winter is here. ICE is on the ground, a cold cruel regime of hate is upon us. Winter is here. People of color have known this for centuries. Now everybody sees it. The democrats prepared it. The republicans voted for it. Now it is here. Now we must respond.

Let me suggest three ways.

First, lament. Lament is the deep human response to suffering. We don't look away. Please don't look away. I know it's hard. But we must see the evil before us which is killing our brothers and sisters. See it for what it is. Evil. Then feel it. Again hard. But we must grieve, sorrow, suffer with those who are being abused and killed. This is what human beings do. Not to feel it is to become the very thing we deplore - a heartless people without empathy for others. Put yourself in their shoes. Blessed are those who mourn. Next we must act. Lament says no to what should not be. Lament leads to love. Throughout history when tyrants have brought death and destruction people have risen up to speak out against the injustice and stand with those who are targeted. Don't just talk about it. Do it. It always makes a difference. Sooner or later. "Whatever you do to the least of these you do to me." -Jesus. Finally there is a kind of response that in the Irish tradition is called lullaby. It is the soothing of the soul that follows lament and love. Nourish yourself with good company, good food, times of silence, walks in nature. Breathe in the good air. Breathe. In the midst of this evil we must be kind to ourselves. It is life sustaining. We will get through this. Together. And be stronger for it.

Winter is here. It's real. So feel it. Do what needs doing. Then sit by the fire and warm yourselves. Because it's not over yet. And truth be told it's likely to get worse before it gets better.

In Solidarity,

Brother Stefan