Living in the Spirit
June 23, 2015

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27

How the mighty have fallen
   in the midst of the battle!  

Jonathan lies slain upon your high places.
   I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
greatly beloved were you to me;
   your love to me was wonderful,
   passing the love of women. –2 Samuel 25-26

It has happened again, another mass murder. This time in a beloved church. This time at a Bible study. Nine people were killed all precious in the sight of God and certainly to their loved ones. The Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, the Senior Minister at the church, was one of the victims. He was also a state senator and a valued leader for such a time as this.

Jonathan was a valued person to David. Jonathan was the natural person to follow his father Saul to become king, but unlike his father, Jonathan apparently saw and supported the potential in David as king. Caught between two beloved people, he protected David and served his father to his death,  too. He indeed was a much loved brother by choice not by chance and son.

What have we done to our children that they feel the need to kill senselessly? And yes I do think society needs to own this problem, not just the family, not just the community. We say one thing and live another. We ignore burgeoning mental health issues, rationing services. I do not know about South Carolina where this mass murder took place, but in Oklahoma only 25% of the needed mental health professionals are available and most people could not afford the services, if they existed. And we worship at the foot of exceptionalism while proclaiming all people were created in God’s image.

We serve a risen Savior who is in the world today and who 2000 years ago gave us the solution to our society’s shortcomings today. He called us to love one another.

Prayer: God forgive us for our separation from you that causes us to live outside your love. Make us whole. Make us one. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.