Letters from Brother Stefan
Letters from Brother Stefan
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
Following his initial call to peace, Brother Stefan recently joined Buddhist monks on their walk through DC. These are his reflections on the 'behind-the-scenes saints' and the wellspring of goodness he found there
February 12, 2026
Walk: Reflections on walking with the Buddhist monks
It was a joyful walk. I loved it! Together with my dear friend Bridget we ate lunch with the monks and then walked. The place was packed and it was a feast! Regarding the walk...I can tell you this - those fellows walk at a good pace! I had trouble keeping up.
Seeing the expressions of love and kindness on the faces of the people as we passed by was deeply moving. I was happy to see the monks. I was deeply moved to see the people who lined the road. Thank you, dear venerable people!
During the lunch we sat with members of the support team. They shared with us some of their experience on the road starting all the way from Fort Worth, Texas. These venerable people work behind the scenes. They get very little recognition. But without them the monks would not be able to do what they do. So please give honor and thanks to and for these behind-the-scene saints.
For me the main message I received was a profound affirmation of the beauty and power of human goodness. This message shone brightly from both the people gathered and the monks who walked.
"The infinite goodness of the human heart," Brother Roger of Taize used to say. There is within us all a source of goodness, of kindness, of compassion. Drink deeply from this well. Live from this wellspring. What is this source? For those who cherish the Jewish/Christian tradition it is the imago Dei, the image of God. God made us, says Genesis, in the very image of God. It is a beautiful image. A good image. A source of compassion, of wisdom, and love within.
"Today is my peaceful day." This is helpful. We can add...today is my compassionate day. Our intentions at the beginning of the day and throughout the day are like a guiding light. Today is my joyful day. We can add whatever descriptor we need. Today is my day of trust...of hope...of gratitude... We intentionally set the course for our day.
Every day here at Community of Peace we set the tone for the day by asking the question: how can we love the world today? It's a good guiding question. On Fridays, every Friday we say: this is my silent day. We practice silence every Friday.
The lifestyle of the monks includes significant times of silence. We can learn from this. What is our relationship with silence? How can we deepen our silent times? It is in silence that we can explore our inner life, our heart and mind. Just a little bit of silence in the morning goes a long way. In the silence we can hear our heart. We can open ourselves to the source of peace within. We can listen to the One who calls us beloved. Everything begins in silence. Go there. As often as possible.
Finally, many are asking: what now? How can the inspiration of this moment continue into the days ahead? I'll share my own thoughts on this in another post. I'd love to hear from you regarding this question: how will you continue this walk for peace in your life? What new possibilities are you seeing for a more peaceful life?
I am feeling gratitude and excitement for this moment. It is an extraordinary moment. A moment I believe we all needed. All good things come from God. I give thanks.
May we continue to be inspired and live more peacefully in this world. May it be so!
