Tag Archives: Doing Justice

Cockeyed Optimist

making-all-things-newAdvent
November 24, 2016

Scripture Reading: Romans 13:11-14

Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light
                                                  –Romans 13:11-12

I guess you might call me a cockeyed optimist*. This phrase in from the musical South Pacific which dealt with a time during World War II, in a place caught in the strife, and among a population dealing with racism. We too live in turbulent times. We fear fear itself in many ways. Our choice is to run and hide in our fear or accept this as our challenge to be a part of making all things new. I believe that with God’s help that is entirely within our grasp. I did not say it would be easy. It will require sacrifice; it will take all the best we have and then some.

A few more lines in the song further describe our dilemma:
I hear the human race Is fallin’ on its face
And hasn’t very far to go
But ev’ry whippoorwill
Is sellin’ me a bill,
And tellin’ me it just ain’t so*.

Advent is a wonderful time to take stock of our fears and any resulting negative thoughts or behaviors we might have. Do we love ourselves? If not, let God make us whole. Do we love all our neighbors as we love ourselves? If not, let God make us one. Do we see injustice in the world? If so, let God make us doers of justice. By Christmas Day, let God renew our hearts and minds readying us to assume our job in making all things new.

Prayer: Lord, walk with me each day during Advent as I examine myself. Help me see myself clearly and cleanse me where needed, preparing me for service to you. Amen.

*Line from the Song “A Cockeyed Optimist” from the Musical South Pacific composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein. See at https://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/southpacific/acockeyedoptimist.htm

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.

Living by Faith Not Fear

votingLiving in the Spirit
May 30, 2016

Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 17:8-16, (17-24)

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; for I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink.” As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” But she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth.” –1 Kings 17:8-14

It seems to me that we are living in a world of fear. I think part of that is the result of the fast changing pace of our society. A bigger part though, perhaps is lack of control over our lives. A sense that all is not right and we can do nothing about it. A loss of purpose and focus may be included. Time was when building a better life for the next generation was important. Now we seem to be moving in the other direction. How did this all happen? What can we do about it?

I have probably said this before, but it is scary how closely our lives today mirror that described by the prophets of the Hebrew Bible. While the rich get richer the poor get poorer. What once was middle class is quickly becoming the working poor. Leaders are more concern about maintaining their own status and wealth and have lost interest in meeting their obligation to assure the Common Good. Even the Kings of Israel were responsible to care for the poor not to chastise them for failure to meet their basic needs on salaries that are woefully inadequate.

The prophets worked for a just world as we are also called to do:
He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
   and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
   and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

What does a just world look like to you? How would you make it happen? On November 8, 2016 you will have the opportunity to take steps toward living in a just world by exercising your right—obligation?—to vote. Start now to identify, how your faith guides you. Pray for God’s guidance and seek reliable facts to inform your decision.

Prayer: Lord, show us what your justice looks like and let it be a guide to our being a part of doing justice in this place at this time. 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.

Ride On

Jesus enters JerusalemLent
March 28, 2015

Scripture Reading: John 12:12-16

The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting,
‘Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—
   the King of Israel!’
Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written:
‘Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion.
Look, your king is coming,
   sitting on a donkey’s colt!’ — John 12:12-15

The time had come. We have all been there whether it was getting ready for a wedding or a funeral, preparing for a family reunion, or graduating from school. There may be a few last minute runs for more food or a quick wash when a child appears with food all over but the day is finally here.

I have wondered what Jesus thought as he rode through the masses. We know that he had sat looking down over Jerusalem and said: ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!’ (Matthew 23:37) That ride into Jerusalem must have been heart rending. The people are still so innocent, still so lacking in understanding. Had he prepared them enough?

As followers of Christ we are continually preparing to live our love to show mercy to do justice, but all our preparations do not mean a think unless we initiate and act. We may never feel ready but we will learn along the way and we are never alone as we journey toward the Kingdom of God.

Prayer:
God of grace and God of glory,
 On Thy people pour Thy power.
 Crown Thine ancient church’s story,
 Bring her bud to glorious flower.
 Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
 For the facing of this hour,
 For the facing of this hour.* Amen.

*From God of Grace and God of Glory by Harry E. Fosdick
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.