Eastertide

May 19, 2020

Scripture Reading: Acts 1:1-11

So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’ –Acts 1:6-11

We are called to be Christ’s witnesses. This is done in many ways. Serving as a living example of the love of Christ is the best way by far. How we live and love one another from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth has a significant impact for better or for worse. It all starts with self-examination when we attempt to see our lives through the eyes of God—what Amos described as a plumb line and to see the Christ in each person.

I strongly think that I do not have the right ultimately to judge another. Jesus drew that assignment. I am concerned that wrong actions in the name of God are speaking louder than our pious word.

75% of polled American adults identifying themselves as Christian in 2015. This is down from 85% in 1990, lower than 81.6% in 2001, and slightly lower than 78% in 2012. About 62% of those polled claim to be members of a church congregation.*

I find it ironic that about 90%** of the populations of countries like El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras identify as Christian. Many of these Central American refugees are the people we turn away at our southern border while not offering adequate help to their countries to overcome the oppression that causes them to leave their homes.

Prayer: God of Justice, forgive us for our hypocrisy in serving you well. Amen.

The Card printed above can be found at https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/examen-prayer-card/

*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_the_United_States

**https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/04/08/christianity-is-growing-rapidly-in-el-salvador-along-with-gang-violence-and-murder-rates/

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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.