I grieve for the country I thought I knew, and I pray for the courage, principles, and love I know we have.

“When conditions are sufficient, things manifest,’’ teaches Thich Nhat Hanh. “When conditions are no longer sufficient, things withdraw. They wait until the moment is right for them to manifest again.’’

Conditions were not sufficient for our movements for justice to manifest in this presidential election. They were sufficient for the ascendance of a demagogue who exploited the nation’s fears and basest instincts.

In the difficult months and years to come, our task will be to create the conditions that support community, compassion, and justice.

That was our task whatever the outcome of the election.

White supremacy will fall. Patriarchy will fall. Climate denial will fall.

In their death throes they are most dangerous. Many people will suffer. Many will die.

But love endures.

First we mourn. We hold each other close.

Then we learn from our mistakes, and we build the world we dream of.

The Rev. Fred Small

Cambridge