Tag Archives: Doing What is Right

Moral Citizens

Advent

December 12, 2021

And the crowds asked him, ‘What then should we do?’ In reply he said to them, ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’ Even tax-collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.’ Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.’ –Luke 3:10-14

I found it somewhat ironic that this Scripture with the phrase ‘Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.’ was part of the liturgy for this week. Congress is considering the Build Back Better Bill; It includes a provision that the federal government will Impose a tax penalty if drug companies increase their prices faster than inflation*. While I am a strong supporter of the separation of church and state, we have a voice in our government’s being moral, being just. What Jesus is outlining in the above Scripture is the simple act of being righteous and just in all we do.

We live in a democracy that requires all citizens’ input and a concerted effort to find common ground for the common good among the diversity of opinions in our country. The word moral as it applies to governance means considering something having the qualities of right and wrong action being governed by a sense of right**. Unfortunately, we are in danger of being overtaken by oligarchs who believe theirs is the only right way to do anything and gain their decision-making control by buying our elected officials***. Such wealth allows our representatives to venture far afield from what is right for the constituents they serve. The oligarchs do not need to invest in the whole Congress or State Legislature. They just need to control enough to divide and conquer lawmaking. In a democracy, we, the people, are the only ones who can stop it.

Prayer: Lord, guide us in being good, moral, and just in our role as citizens. Amen.

*https://www.whitehouse.gov/build-back-better/

**https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/moral

***On January 21, 2010, the Supreme Court ruled in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, that corporations and other outside groups could spend unlimited funds on elections.

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.

Paradox

Living in the Spirit

October 15, 2021

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 5:1-10

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. –Hebrews 5:7-10

A paradox is a statement or sentiment that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet perhaps true in fact*. The above scripture opens with a paradox. The phrase In the days of his flesh is a beautiful way to share with people the true humanness Jesus experienced those 30 some years he walked this earth. He prayed to God who could save him with prayers and supplications and was heard because of his reverent submission. He was heard and yet submitted to crucifixion. I cannot imagine how either God or Jesus felt about the situation. Was crucifixion a given? Was there a point at which any leader of the day could say, this is just not right? I think the answer is yes. Caiaphas, the High Priest, could have turned the situation around. Pilate, too, certainly could have said we are not doing this rather than washing his hands of the situation.

What would it take for one of our leaders to see the errors of our ways and say no more? What would it take for we, the people, to say no more? We want justice. We want to do what is right. Neither justice nor righteousness is complicated to understand. Making them happen only gets complicated when we view them through the filters of our worldly vices. Will my doing what is right make me lose the next election? Will seeking justice reduce the support of my strongest backers? Will assuring that all people are treated in a just manner reduce my white privilege?

We have limited opportunities to get things right. So we must take them when they appear.

Prayer: Lord, share your courage fueled by love with us when we can be the conduit of justice and righteousness in our world. Amen.

*https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/paradox

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.

Living Righteousness

Living in the Spirit

June 26, 2020

Scripture Reading: Romans 6:12-23

What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted, and that you, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.—Romans 6:15-19

Recently, I had a conversation about tithing with a friend. She had received a letter from her church saying that it had not yet received her tithe as a reminder to send money. My church sends very business-like updates on the receipt of payment toward my pledge for tax purposes, so I did not think this action was particularly unusual. I had made a pledge and do work to meet it. Apparently, her faith group teaches the following of the tithe described in the Hebrew Bible. Her problem was that she does set aside a tithe but provides it to feed people on the street.

My mother, I think, was influenced by Paul after reading today’s scripture. For she taught us, we were to give our whole being to God’s service in everything we did, including supporting our church. I do think that is what Paul is addressing when he says you, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. We must do right, do justice in everything. Wearing masks during the COVID 19 pandemic is doing righteousness, loving our neighbor. There is no separation of church and self. We are individually a part of the Body of Christ and gain synergy in our efforts working within and among the whole Body of Christ.

I also think Paul used the word slave on purpose to get a rise out of his readers because, while some of them had been or were slaves, many were not. There is no privilege among those who make up the Body of Christ. We are all privileged to be in service to the Almighty God.

Prayer: Lord of Life, help us to see where we can do righteousness in everything we do to your glory. 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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.